The Hidden Dangers of Sodium Fluoride: A Call to Protect Our Students’ Health

By Hon. Ifesinachi Donald Udoka 

March 02, 2025

As a leader dedicated to the well-being of our students at the University of Abuja, it is my duty to shed light on pressing health concerns that threaten the vitality of our youth. Today, I turn my attention to a pervasive yet overlooked danger: sodium fluoride. This chemical compound, commonly found in everyday products like milk(peak milk, three crowns etc) and toothpaste(close-up, Oral-B etc), has raised serious questions about its safety. As researchers and guardians of knowledge, we must ask—why is a substance linked to severe health risks still being used, and what can we do to protect ourselves?

Sodium fluoride (NaF) is not a benign additive; it is a potent chemical with a troubling profile. Widely recognized as a primary ingredient in rat poison, its toxicity is well-documented in scientific literature. Studies have shown that excessive exposure to fluoride can wreak havoc on the human body. It is implicated in the disruption of neurological function, weakening of bones (a condition known as skeletal fluorosis), and damage to the endocrine system, which regulates hormones critical to growth and development. Even more alarming, research has suggested a potential link between fluoride exposure and an increased risk of cancer, particularly osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in young individuals—a demographic that includes our vibrant student population.

The dangers do not stop there. Fluoride accumulation in the body, especially in tissues like the pineal gland, has been associated with calcification, potentially impairing cognitive abilities—a devastating prospect for students striving for academic excellence. Furthermore, its corrosive nature can erode dental enamel over time when misused, ironically undermining the very purpose for which it is added to toothpaste.

If sodium fluoride is so hazardous, why do producers insist on adding it to milk and toothpaste? The answer lies in a mix of historical precedent, profit motives, and regulatory inertia. Fluoride was first introduced into dental products and water supplies in the mid-20th century, championed as a means to prevent tooth decay. In some regions, milk fluoridation followed as an alternative delivery method, especially for children. Producers and policymakers argue that low doses of fluoride strengthen enamel and reduce cavities—a claim rooted in early studies that have since been heavily debated.

However, the continued use of sodium fluoride raises suspicions of ulterior motives. This compound is a byproduct of industrial processes, such as fertilizer production, making it a cheap and convenient additive for manufacturers. Toothpaste and milk companies profit by marketing fluoride as a health benefit, while regulatory bodies—perhaps swayed by industry influence—have been slow to reassess its safety in light of emerging evidence. Critics argue that this is a case of convenience trumping caution, with the public left to bear the consequences.

Knowing that sodium fluoride is a key component of rodenticides and a potential carcinogen, its presence in products we consume daily is nothing short of alarming. The question remains: if producers are aware of its poisonous nature, why do they persist? The answer may be as simple as this—they prioritize profits over people.

To my dear students at the University of Abuja, I urge you with the utmost sincerity: your health is your wealth, and it is under threat. Sodium fluoride, lurking in your milk and toothpaste, is not a friend but a foe—an insidious poison masquerading as a protector. I implore you to take immediate action. Check the labels of your products. If you see fluoride—whether as sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, or any variant—cast it aside. Throw it away now, for your lives and futures depend on it.

Cancer, neurological decline, and a host of other diseases are not the legacy we want for you. You are the promise of tomorrow, and we cannot allow a chemical relic of misguided science to dim your light. Opt instead for fluoride-free alternatives—natural toothpastes and unprocessed foods—that safeguard your well-being without compromise.

As a researcher and journalist, I stand committed to uncovering truths that empower our community. The evidence against sodium fluoride is too compelling to ignore, and the stakes are too high to remain silent. Let us rise together, students and scholars alike, to demand transparency and safety in what we consume. Your health is non-negotiable. Act now—discard the fluoride, reclaim your vitality, and thrive as the brilliant minds you are destined to be.