Understanding Fluoride and Fluorocarbon Toxicity: An Overview

Fluoride and fluorocarbons find their use in consumer products and industrial products. They have raised considerable debates due to their potential toxicity which casts significant health and environmental concerns. Fluorides primarily enter living organisms through dental care products, foods, beverages, and drinking water giving benefits to teeth and bone health. However, excessive intake leads to fluorosis, posing threats to bones and other physiological systems. Fluoride toxicity can be attributed to their interference with enzymatic activities and calcium metabolism. Fluorocarbons including polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) find widespread use in non-stick coatings, fire extinguishants, refrigerants, foam blowing and various other industrial processes owing to their unique physical and chemical properties. Despite their utility, these compounds are persistent and bioaccumulate to exert potential adversities on wildlife and man. Fluorocarbons may disrupt endocrine functions related to cancer, hepatic damage and developmental issues. They are also causing serious environmental problems like stratospheric ozone depletion and global warming that stand out to be the primary concerns about the survival of the human race. Fluoride and fluorocarbon management thus needs a critical review of the risk assessment frameworks, and regulatory measures with more advances in detection techniques, stringent and rigorous monitoring, and mitigation strategies to minimize overexposure. Developing safer alternatives is pivotal to addressing such challenges. Hence a comprehensive understanding is the need of the hour to underscore the balance between their beneficial impact and potential risks, emphasizing the importance of informed policy decisions for protecting human health and the environment.