en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Brazilian Association of Public-Private Water and Sewage Concessionaires (Associação e Sindicato Nacional das Concessionárias Privadas de Serviços Públicos de Água e Esgoto, Abcon) stated on July 6, 2026, that Brazil's sanitation sector is facing a shortage of fluorosilicic acid (ácido fluossilícico). This acid is a key raw material for the water fluoridation process, and the shortage has led to a price increase of over 300%. According to Abcon, the crisis is primarily driven by two factors: the shutdown of Mosaic Fertilizantes' plant in April 2026, which caused a significant drop in domestic production of this raw material, and the conflict between Iran and the United States, which has impacted the global supply chain.
Abcon is the industry representative body for Brazil's public-private water and sewage concessionaires, whose member companies provide public water supply and sewage treatment services across the country. Fluorosilicic acid is a byproduct of phosphate fertilizer production, and Brazil's domestic supply is highly dependent on the stability of the phosphate fertilizer industry. Mosaic Fertilizantes, one of the world's largest phosphate fertilizer producers, shut down its plant in Brazil in April 2026, directly leading to a sharp reduction in fluorosilicic acid supply.
According to industry reports, the current market supply relies entirely on existing inventories, with prices having surged by over 300%. Operators stated that if the fluorosilicic acid supply disruption leads to a temporary halt in fluoridation, it will not affect the drinkability or sanitary safety of tap water, but acknowledged that this would impact oral disease prevention efforts as a public health policy. Facing the current shortage, Abcon has called on health regulatory authorities to grant temporary exemptions from mandatory fluoridation obligations for water supply companies during the period when the raw material is unavailable, while also recommending an assessment of temporarily reducing dosage levels to extend the use of existing inventories.
Water fluoridation is a globally recognized effective public health measure for preventing dental caries. Brazil has promoted this policy nationwide since the 1950s, and currently, over 70% of urban water supply systems implement fluoridation. This fluorosilicic acid shortage crisis has exposed Brazil's over-reliance on the phosphate fertilizer industry for the supply of key water treatment raw materials, as well as the risk of geopolitical conflicts transmitting disruptions to the supply chain of essential public services. Abcon stated that it will continue to monitor developments and maintain communication with relevant regulatory agencies.
