Book excerpt: This toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for fluorides, hydrogen fluoride, and fluorine. Fluorides are often added to drinking water supplies and a variety of dental compounds. Some fluoride compounds are also used in the production of glass and enamel and in the steel industry. Fluorine gas is used primarily to make chemical compounds used in separating isotopes of uranium for use in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. Hydrogen fluoride is used in the manufacture of fluorocarbons, which are used as refrigerants, solvents, and aerosols. This profile includes: (A) The examination, summary, and interpretation of available toxicologic information and epidemiologic evaluations on fluorides, hydrogen fluoride, and fluorine to ascertain the levels of significant human exposure for the substance and the associated acute, subacute, and chronic health effects; (B) A determination of whether adequate information on the health effects of fluorides, hydrogen fluoride, and fluorine is available or in the process of development to determine levels of exposure that present a significant risk to human health of acute, subacute, and chronic health effects; and (C) Where appropriate, identification of toxicologic testing needed to identify the types or levels of exposure that may present significant risk of adverse health effects in humans. Tables and figures. This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication.