Letter to the Editor: Fluoride removal achieved

Under-sink hydroxyapatite filters are currently available from Arkansas for $47, where fluoride from fluosilicic acid is removed from water for about a year before replacement. This also traps uranium, lead and arsenic for washing vegetables, cooking and rinsing dishes fluoride-free.

For whole-house fluoride removal, particularly for those allergic to trace hydrofluoric acid, a 4-foot-tall water tank easily holds 50 pounds of the same medium, hydroxyapatite bone char sold locally for $1 per pound. This has been used for 80 years by sugar refineries to filter cane sugar, making white sugar. An inexpensive 5-micron postfilter available locally prevents leakage of trace carbon particles. Drinking tap water also requires a several-stage charcoal filter for normal taste. Drinking water from supermarket water machines is fluoride-free, but many commercial bottled waters contain fluoride.

A complaint has been sent to the state EPA and to the Escondido mayor and City Council, since fluoride levels in Lake Dixon are currently about 0.5 ppm.

Metropolitan Water, which is now silico-fluoridated, is stored in the lake. Our city and state budget have zero funds for this, which technically makes it illegal according to the original AB 733 state fluoridation law.

Richard Sauerheber
San Marcos