The three Fluoride chemicals that could be added to Queensland water
supplies for fluoridation are Hydrofluorosilicic Acid,
Sodium Silicofluoride or Sodium Fluoride.

Hydrofluorosilicic Acid and Sodium Silicofluoride are collectively known as the
Silicofluorides and are the chemicals used most in other Australian states
fluoridation schemes.
The two Silicofluorides chemicals used, are waste products of Phosphate
fertilizer manufacture. They are industrial grade, not pharmaceutical grade
products and can contain small residues of toxic heavy metals such as
cadmium, mercury or lead.

The two Silicofluoride compounds used DO NOT EVEN OCCUR IN NATURE,
yet fluoridation promoters call fluoride "NATURAL”.  No toxicology studies have
ever been performed on the Silicofluoride used in water fluoridation schemes.
The only toxicology studies ever done, have been done on
Pharmaceutical grade Sodium Fluoride as is used in toothpaste.

Currently less than 5% of Queensland's population drinks fluoridated water.
Sodium Fluoride is a waste product of Aluminium smelting and is the
fluoridation chemical used in Queensland in Dalby, Mareeba, Moranbah and
Townsville/ Thuringowah.

Freedom of Information reveals that water supply of Bamaga is fluoridated with
a Silicofluoride and that Sodium Fluoride used in other Queensland areas is
imported from China.

It would appear that most of the Queenslanders that are currently drinking
fluoridated water are drinking water fluoridated with imported Chinese industry
waste products, probably sourced as a waste product of the
Chinese Aluminium smelting industry.

Water from rivers, creeks or dams does contain small amounts of
natural fluoride.  Levels of fluoride in SE Qld surface waters are usually only
about 0.1 parts per million, or nine times less the amount of the Fluoride that
Queensland Government plans on adding to Brisbane's water supply.

Fluoride occurs naturally in water when water flows though or over rocks and
abrades rocks that contain Fluorspar, or Calcium Fluoride (Ca F2).
Calcium fluoride is very insoluble.  Water that contains natural Fluoride from
abraded Fluorspar containing rocks also contains Calcium which can offer
some protection from Fluoride.  Fluoride binds with Calcium readily and
Calcium is given as a treatment for Fluoride poisoning.

Calcium Fluoride (the natural form of Fluoride) is not permitted to be added to
any Australian water supply.

Groundwater as in bore water or well water can contain very high levels
of "natural" fluoride and in parts of China, India and the Rift Valley,
natural Fluoride has led to devastating health effects such as crippling
Skeletal Fluorosis for millions of people.  Arsenic, Lead and Mercury are
also "natural".  Natural does not necessarily mean good or desirable.

The Silicofluoride compounds used for water fluoridation are very acidic and
addition to water often entails addition of other chemicals such as soda ash to
neutralize the acidity to prevent corrosion of water reticulation equipment.
Appendix one of the 1999 NHMRC Review of water fluoridation was a
questionaire for Councils which fluoridate and included a request for any
evidence for Fluoride incompatibilities, such as enhanced corrosion or
breakdown of gaskets or seals, in the water distribution network.

The Queensland Government has said they would pay the setting up costs of
fluoridation, but will not be paying for any recurrent and on going costs.
Any Fluoride caused corrosion problems in water treatment plants or water
reticulation systems would be to the future cost of Councils and ratepayers.