Properties
- salts of the element fluorine or hydrogen fluoride
- vary according to substance, liquid (e.g. hydrofluoric acid) to solid (e.g. calcium fluoride)
- vital trace element for humans
Main sources
- industry and commerce: metalworking, optics, glass manufacturing, organic chemistry, dental hygiene
- industrial waste water, sewage
- fluoridated cooking salt
- earlier: fluoridated drinking water
- natural sources (geogenic fluoride)
Thresholds for the reporting requirement of facilities in accordance with Annex 2 PRTRO
(Ordinance on the Register relating to Pollutant Release and the Transfer of Waste and of Pollutants in Waste Water)
- Air -
- Water 2,000 kg/year
- Soil 2,000 kg/year
Impacts
- slightly toxic to toxic in higher concentrations according to substance (e.g. ammonium fluoride)
- hydrofluoric acid: very toxic
