I found 532 MSDS sheets on sodium fluoride ( go here
http://msds.ehs.cornell.edu/msdssrch.asp and type in sodium fluoride in the top search box).
The LD50 and toxic affects section shows the following:
================================================== =====
Health Hazards Data
================================================== =====
LD50 LC50 Mixture: ORAL LD50(RAT): 64 MG/KG
Effects of Exposure: INHALATION:IRRITATING TO MUCOUS MEMBRANES AND TOXIC WHEN
INHALED. SKIN:MAY CAUSE DERMATITIS IF EXPOSED TO DUST OR FUMES. EYES:CAUSES
EYE IRRITATION. INGESTION:SEVERE VOMITING, ABDOMINAL DISTRESS, DIAR RHEA,
STUPOR, WEAKNESS. ***POISON*** IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED.
Signs And Symptions Of Overexposure: INHALATION: CHILLS, LABORED BREATHING,
FEVER, UNPRODUCTIVE COUGH. INGESTION: SEVERE VOMITING, ABDOMINAL DISTRESS,
DIARRHEA, STUPOR AND WEAKNESS. POISON IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED.
Now the LD50 represents what has been determined to be a lethal dose in 50 percent of the population tested (I hope they used rats - poor things)
An LD50 of 64 mg/KG means that if I weighted in at 100 KG a doseage of 6.4 grams would kill me 50% of the time.
So I checked the toothpaste ingredients which indicates the active ingredients are .25 % sodium fluoride. The tube weight is 168 grams (6.3 oz). Ok, so that means there is .445 grams of sodium fluoride in the tube and it takes 6.4 grams to kill me. I am safe. Whew, had me worried for a bit. However, doing the math working backward from the tube contents to calculate body weight we might find that this doseage will kill a kid 50 per cent of the time who weighs 7 kg or less who takes in the entire tube.
The directions on the package indicate "do not swallow". Now I would say that is an understatement! Minimum should be a SKULL AND CROSSBONES. That might tend to stifle sales though. Even the MSDS says this is a poison if swallowed.
Also, consider the "stupor" thing. Isn't that why people are saying the government is pushing fluoride in water. To make people more docile and easy to work with.
Comments? Cause of Action? Class Action anyone?