Answer to Question #93288 in Chemistry for Justin

Question

You are the public health officer in the water treatment facility for a city of 95,000 people. A concentration of 1.0 ppm of fluoride in the drinking water is sufficient for the purpose of helping to prevent tooth decay. The compound normally chosen for fluoridation is the same as found in some toothpaste: sodium fluoride, NaF. Calculate how many kilograms of sodium fluoride you will need to purchase in order to fluoridate the cities water supply for one year based upon your estimate that the average yearly consumption of water is 110 gallons per person.

Answer 1

Annual water flow: Q = 95,000 x 110 = 10 450 000 gallons per year

1 ppm = 0.000008345404 pound/gallon

Required amount of NaF: 10 450 000 x 0.000008345404 = 87.2 pounds per year