Why are fluorides poisons? How did the concentration of NaF affect fermentation?
Fluorine is an electron greedy atom. The greediest, in fact. Many, if not all, compounds of fluorine will at least try to form polymers. This means the fluorine atom in each molecule will not be satisfied with what it is mating with. Ex., NaF. The fluorine atom, now ion, will exchange its new electron with other sodium ions, thus forming a chain – NaFNaFNaF etc. So, to make the long story short, fluorides are not stable in living tissue because it wants to combine with everything it gets near to. Fluoride for tooth enamel is critical at just 1 part per million. Any more than this will give the teeth a yellowish mottled appearance. Fermentation will be adversely affected by the presence of any fluoride.
