Fluoride toxicity is characterized by a variety of signs and symptoms.
Symptom onset usually occurs within minutes of exposure. Historically, most cases of fluoride toxicity have followed accidental ingestion of insecticides or rodenticides. Fluoride has several mechanisms of toxicity. Ingested fluoride initially acts locally on the intestinal mucosa. It can form hydrofluoric acid in the stomach, which leads to GI irritation or corrosive effects.