Fluoride

Fluoride naturally exists in minerals and is the anion of the element fluorine. It is found in the soil, water, and air, as well as being chemically synthesized for water fluoridation. Observations have shows that the levels of fluoride in the environment is increasing, and this increase is adversely affecting humans and the wildlife. 

Humans

Excess fluoride causes dental fluorosis in children. It is a condition when the enamel of the teeth becomes permanently discolored and damaged, resulting in brittle teeth that break and stain easily.

Excess fluoride also affects hormones in the body. It does this by building up in the pineal gland; both the soft tissue and the calcified part of the pineal gland accumulate high concentrations of fluoride.  Studies have shown that this causes impairments to the circadian rhythm and reduced melatonin production. 

Other potential effects of fluoride exposure can be: acne, arterial calcification and arteriosclerosis, bone weakness, osteosarcoma, cardiac failure, cardiac insufficiency, cognitive deficits, dental fluorosis, diabetes, early puberty in girls, harm to the fetal brain, hypertension, immune system complications, insomnia, iodine deficiency, lower fertility rates, myocardial damage, osteoarthritis, skeletal fluorosis, TMJ disorder, thyroid dysfunction. 

Wildlife

Some animals that are greatly affected by excess fluoride are cows, horses, and domestic pets. Studies show that the use of bone meal in dog food resulted in high levels of fluoride that resulted in high rates of osteosarcoma for dogs. It is also a factor in high rates of hyperthyroidism in cats. The animals most affected by fluoride are cows.

Because of fluoride toxicity, cows have shown side effects such as anorexia, chronic convulsions, collapse, cramping, death, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, muscular weakness, nausea, pulmonary congestion, respiratory and cardiac failure, shortened lifespan, and vomiting.