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Fluorides
in water can be detrimental or beneficial. It all
depends on the concentration.
Surface
water supplies are normally low in fluorides (less than
0.5ppm). Some have no fluoride at all. Well waters may
contain excessive amounts of fluoride (over 1.5ppm).
There are some wells which contain the recommended
amount (about 1ppm0 for drinking water.
Fluorides
are important because they have a definite relation to
dental health. Research has shown that a concentration
of 1ppm fluoride in drinking water reduces tooth decay.
On
the other hand, when water contains over 1.5ppm of
fluorides, it causes a condition known as "endemic
dental fluorosis". Sometimes called "Colorado
Brown Stain," this condition appears as a dark
brown mottling or spotting of the teeth. In certain
cases the teeth become chalky white in appearance.
*See
De-contamination
by reverse osmosis for removal of fluorides
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