Which non-silicate mineral is noted for use in toothpaste and in the chemical industry?

• A. Fluorite (CaF)
• B. Halite (NaCl)
• C. Calcite (CaCO3)
• D. Gypsum (CaSO4)

Answer: (A)

Fluorite is chosen because it provides fluorine, the element used both in everyday health products and in industrial chemistry. In toothpaste, fluoride ions harden enamel and help prevent tooth decay by inhibiting mineral loss from teeth and promoting remineralization. In the chemical industry, fluorite (calcium fluoride) is the primary ore of fluorine, used to produce hydrofluoric acid and a host of fluoride compounds, and it also serves as a flux in metallurgy and glassmaking. The other minerals listed are not tied to toothpaste or broad fluorine chemistry in the same way: halite is mainly table salt, calcite is a calcium carbonate used in cement and neutralization, and gypsum is calcium sulfate used in plaster and drywall.