Fluoride, Fluorine and Organic Fluorine
1. Fluoride
Fluoride is a compound that contains the element fluorine, but it's combined with other elements. It's commonly found in toothpaste and sometimes added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay.
- Example: In toothpaste, you might see sodium fluoride (NaF), which is a fluoride compound. It helps to make teeth stronger and can fight cavities.
- Where you might find it: Tap water (in some places), toothpaste, mouth rinses, and even in some dental treatments.
- This is the big issue for some politicians but in my opinion - they are going after the wrong element ... fluoride has been shown to possibly be an issue for countries using 5x the amount used in the US and Canada and in time we may find it to be somethign we might want to regulate even furthere however - ORGANIC FLUORINE _ PFAS is an issue for the whole world!
2. Fluorine
Fluorine is a chemical element with the symbol F. It's a highly reactive, toxic gas at room temperature and doesn’t naturally exist on its own in nature because it reacts so quickly with other substances. Fluorine gas is dangerous to humans in its pure form, so we don’t use fluorine directly. Instead, we use it in the form of compounds like fluoride.
- Properties: Fluorine is very reactive. It can cause harm if not handled carefully, so it's not found in nature in its pure form, but as part of compounds.
3. Organic Fluorine
This term refers to compounds that have fluorine atoms attached to carbon-based molecules. Organic in chemistry means something that contains carbon, and when you add fluorine to carbon, you get "organic fluorine."
CARBON + ORGANIC FLUORINE = PFAS
- Example: A common example of organic fluorine is in Teflon, the material used for non-stick cooking pans. Teflon is made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a compound that includes fluorine atoms attached to carbon atoms.
- Why it matters: Organic fluorine is used in various products, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. These compounds can be useful, but as we are learning it is also incredibly toxic and endocrine doctors, all over the world are shouting for it to be banned.
Organic fluorine + Carbon = PFAS known to cause: Endocrine disruption - Liver cancer, Kidney cancer, Breast Cancer, Leukemia , sexual deformaties in baby boys ( mini penises), autism. developmental issues, compromised immune systems etc etc .... Please watch the film *Dark Waters "