Fluorine Chemistry: Volume IV

To THE GENERAL PUBLIC, fluorides are best known for their dangerous properties ; ask the average man what he knows about fluorides and he will probably mention at least two uses : (a) to etch glass, and (b) as a roach powder or as a rat or ant poison. Few people have had any reason to use fluorides for etching glass, but the use of fluorides as insecticides and rodenticides is so widespread that sodium fluoride is almost a common household preparation.