The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has conducted an assessment on fluoride salts with low-hazard counterions, published on 7 November 2024. While current findings suggest low toxicity, potential risks related to endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity, especially concerning sodium fluoride, are under review, potentially impacting regulatory needs across the group.
ECHA’s Regulatory Assessment Overview
The assessment conducted by ECHA involves a group of 26 fluoride-based compounds, categorised mainly as inorganic fluorides and fluorosilicates, widely used across industries. These substances are structurally grouped based on their fluoride ion component and various low-hazard counterions such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. The evaluation included a screening-level risk assessment, focusing on any potential environmental or human health risks that may require regulatory management.
Health and Environmental Safety Findings
The report highlights that current data do not conclusively indicate risks related to carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or bioaccumulation for any of the substances assessed. Notably, many fluoride salts exhibit low human health toxicity, and the fluoride ion released upon hydrolysis poses minimal environmental risk. However, ECHA has marked endocrine disruption and reproductive toxicity, particularly in relation to sodium fluoride, as areas requiring further investigation due to ongoing harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) processes.
Implications for Industrial and Consumer Applications
Fluoride salts are integral to a variety of applications ranging from industrial surface treatments to consumer products, including cosmetics and cleaning agents. ECHA’s report suggests that while low exposure is expected for substances primarily used as intermediates, certain applications may result in worker or consumer exposure. The widespread application in metal treatments, cleaning products, and fertilisers further underlines the need for thorough monitoring.
Potential Regulatory Actions
Pending CLH review outcomes, ECHA is evaluating the need for regulatory risk management actions for the group. A CLH proposal focusing on sodium fluoride’s endocrine-disrupting and reproductive toxicity effects could prompt a reassessment across similar fluoride compounds if risks are substantiated.
ECHA's findings underscore a cautious approach for fluoride salts, with an emphasis on monitoring potential endocrine risks. Should CLH assessments confirm these hazards, regulatory actions may extend to the broader group of fluoride compounds, shaping future safety guidelines for industrial and consumer applications.
