TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING: Fluoride is in many foods, beverages and dental products. The ubiquity of the cavity-fighting chemical can
result in overconsumption, particularly among young children.
Image: AARON GOODMAN
In Brief
- Researchers are intensifying their scrutiny of fluoride, which is added to most public water systems in the U.S. Some recent studies suggest that overconsumption of fluoride can raise the risks of disorders affecting teeth, bones, the brain and the thyroid gland.
- A 2006 report by a committee of the National Research Council recommended that the federal government lower its current limit for fluoride in drinking water because of health risks to both children and adults.
Long before the passionate debates over cigarettes, DDT, asbestos or the ozone hole, most Americans had heard of only one environmental health controversy: fluoridation. Starting in the 1950s, hundreds of communities across the U.S. became embroiled in heated battles over whether fluorides—ionic compounds containing the element fluorine—should be added to their water systems. On one side was a broad coalition of scientists from government and industry who argued that adding fluoride to drinking water would protect teeth against decay; on the other side were activists who contended that the risks of fluoridation were inadequately studied and that the practice amounted to compulsory medication and thus was a violation of civil liberties.
The advocates of fluoride eventually carried the day, in part by ridiculing opponents such as the right-wing John Birch Society, which called fluoridation a communist plot to poison America. Today almost 60 percent of the U.S. population drinks fluoridated water, including residents of 46 of the nation’s 50 largest cities. Outside the U.S., fluoridation has spread to Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and a few other countries. Critics of the practice have generally been dismissed as gadflies or zealots by mainstream researchers and public health agencies in those countries as well as the U.S. (In other nations, however, water fluoridation is rare and controversial.) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention even lists water fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest health achievements of the 20th century, alongside vaccines and family planning.
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31 Comments
Add CommentToo controvisal. I am a member of th health related community, however I could not give my child flouride without knowing more about it bneefits and sideeffects. We all seem to be walking around with our guns half cocked with all the studies that a given to us, but with no mention of what has happened in the past. Eg. the lead paint "story/controversy". What about the toys that are already in the house that the chlidren are exposed to. Do these people really think that "china or any other manufacture" with not shy away from health hazards to make and extra buck or two. Who are they kidding?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisJOE--FLORDIA
Actually, for anyone willing to take the time to look, science has never supported fluoridation. And fluoride use began because it was thought that fluoridation reduced tooth decay.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFor more info:
Fluoridation 101
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
http://www.FluorideAction.Net
As a dental assistant and than a dental hygienist I had over 3 decades of fluoride exposure. Even though I wore gloves 10 years before the dental industry advocated this useage, I had repeated daily exposure to Stannious and Sodium fluoride.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI mixed fluoride solutions for patient to rinse with to prevent caries and also applied topical applications to desensitize root surfaces many times a day--day after day for 3o years!!!
Fluoride began to be such a toxin to my system I would instantly break out in hives, swelling and itching. If I ingested even the tiniest bite i would beome violently ill.
Even thoug it has been 20 years since I hung up my scalers, to this day I cannot use any toothpaste which contains fluoride or drink tap water.
Is it a surprise to anyone I am hypothyroid? Fluoride, tin, mercury, lead and silver exposurure
has left me looking for help gett5ing my Thyroid receptor cites unbound--anyone who knows about this please contact me. Mo in Houston
Hi,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm new to this and joined in order to share pertinent info regarding healing from fluoride toxicity and thyroid problems holistically. The only doctor I am aware of and who has saved my life and done so with natural remedies (he is an advanced European medical doctor trained in both Western and European medicine, but treats only with natural remedies. He is Dr. Topalo and his website is http://drtopalo.healthynaturaltherapy.com. Many of my friends who have gone to him for cancer, bipolar, etc feel he is a godsend and a true, safe and commonsense alternative to surgery and invasive, toxic treatments offered today.
I hope that 2008 is off to a good start for everyone. Andrew my son has a took a battery of tests today to determine the parts of his brain that were affected by autism, While waiting in the doctor's office waiting room, I picked up a copy of Scientific American January 2008 issue to pass the time. One of the featured artlicles that caught my eye was titled "Second Thoughs on Fluoride" " New research indicates that a cavity-fighting treatment could be risky if overused" It goes on to say that the over use of this most common drug in our diet may cause problems with the brain, thyroid, teeth and bones. Well of course being a parent of an autistic child, anytime someone mentions food consumption, mercury or other heavy metals gets my attention! I think this merits a closer look and raises many questions for me. The article states that there is an indication that fluoride may actually cause the brain to have or store higher levels of lead! First question is if lead is stored in greater quanties in the brain because of fluoride, what about other heavy metals such as mercury? Second, can fluoride cross over to the unborn fetus from the mother? Is there an autism link? The article makes no mention of autism nor have I read any studies that make this assumption or claim, but as a parent of an autistic child I am very suspcious of anything and everything in our diet. I did not know that we already consume copious amounts of fluroide in such things as soft drinks, tea, beer, white wine, and other foods (albeit different forms) to name a few. Top that off with a "healthy" dose of fluoride in our drinking water! How much is safe and when does it become toxic? Is this most overly prescribed drug hurting us? I am not saying everyone should stop drinking tap water or drinking soft drinks, but I think we need to be aware and informed parents. And more research in this area. needs to be done. What do you think?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisA possible link between fluoride and autism:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this[b]1)[/b] Fluoride is an enzyme poison and potent inhibitor of many enzyme systems. ([url http://www.fluoridedebate.com/question23.html#23]www.fluoridedebate.com/question23.html[/url])
[b]2)[/b] An enzyme is involved with demyelination in the brain. ([url http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-05/mc-mcr052202.php]www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-05/mc-mcr052202.php[/url])
[b]3)[/b] In children with autism, there's an overgrowth of myelin in brain, primarily around axons. ([url http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-03/mgh-msd031204.php]www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-03/mgh-msd031204.php[/url])
[b]4)[/b] The autism risk is higher in people with a gene variant that encodes a protein enabling cells to develop myelinated axons. ([url http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-01/niom-arh010308.php]www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-01/niom-arh010308.php[/url])
Thus, if fluoride inhibits the enzyme that limits myelin growth, then excess myelination could result -- especially in predisposed individuals who have the gene variant associated with autism.
Update:
[b]5)[/b] Children with autism have normal-size heads at birth but develop accelerated head growth between six and nine months of age.
([url http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-01/uow-ahg013008.php]www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-01/uow-ahg013008.php[/url])
Beginning at six months old, many infants are routinely prescribed and fed a daily dose of fluoride.
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Edited by JohnMac at 02/16/2008 12:17 PM
NAZI scientists used flouride in the concentration camps to 'medicate' the prisoners and to make them docile. Hexafluorosilicic acid is the most common for water 'treatment' these days. Do a quick search for the MSDS on Hexafluorosilicic acid and you will discover it is strictly poisonous and not meant for human contact. It's ok though, the ADA thinks it is nutricious. Just drink it and don't worry.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCan anyone suggest a good under sink fluoride filter for drinking water?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou need to get a reverse osmosis water filter to get rid of fluoride.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTo lanbay:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere has been studies relating vaccination and Autism. Watch Google video, "Mercury, Autism and the Global Vaccine Agenda" for all the facts. Very startling video that everybody needs to see.
They were forced to put this article out because too many people know the dangers of DEADLY FLUORIDE. Still a whitewash, but getting somewhere at least.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTo some of us, the dangers of flouride have been known for a long time. America continues to poison its own people. The real question is, "Where does the flouride come from?"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhile doing some post grad classes in Scotland I was surprised to learn that the UK (as with most other countries) do not use fluoridation treatment in drinking water because their view is that it offers no benefits at all and poses significant risks to the public all at an added cost to water treatment.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFor the life of them, my professors can not understand why the USA uses fluoridation in drinking water systems.
I had never given any thought to it prior to this experience. And now I am also confused as to why we do this here. This is especially concerning since the UK operates a National Health Service and if their were a benefit to health I am certain the UK Government would be all over it for the health cost savings.
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Edited by Ivan Thomson at 01/19/2008 9:06 AM
To Mo and others on clearing out fluoride- iodine may help. And people are low in iodine anyway, allowing fluoride to fill the gap. Japanese get 100x the iodine we do from kelp and have far less breast cancer. Iodoril is a good sourse, or lugols solution. Kelp has high arsenic so be careful. Also fluoride is not inert, and it binds with iron and al for some nasty compunds to damage neurons. The history of fluoride in this country is a sad one of deception and fraud to put a positive spin on a toxic waste (Thanks Alcoa Al. Co.). Then the MDs and Dentists latched on as a great way to increase business. The original "studies" were distorted- less cavities because they LOST THIER TEETH from an overdose. And since 99% of this waste goes down the toilet, it's out into our rivers, farm, gardens etc and back in the food. See Russel Blaylock's book Health Secrets -reference.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this--
Edited by rkcannon at 01/21/2008 11:14 AM
SciAm is a science mag and not a political one, but to me the most essential issue here is that water fluoridation is mass medication that leaves those who do not wish to be medicated with no alternative, a gross violation of civil rights. Many parts of los Angeles have just begun to have their water fluoridated, and a grass roots effort has sprung up to fight it. The key is wake people out of their complacency, which is extremely difficult, but if enough people object, it will have to stop.
P.s. - fluoride is absorbed through the skin - how much fluoride is taken in by infants who bathe in warm water on a regular basis?
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Edited by topanga at 01/24/2008 9:17 AM Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
There is a huge difference between natural fluorides in drinking water [calcium fluoride leached from soil at high levels that cause teeth effects] vs. artificially synthesized fluorides such as sodium fluoride or fluosilicic acid. The former is not a toxic compound with an LD50 of a safe high 5,000 mg/kg. The latter are toxic compounds, with LD50s comparable to arsenic compounds and lead at 150 mg/kg. Deaths from artificially fluoridated water have been caused by lowering of blood calcium from high fluoride levels during overfeeds (Gessler, New England Journal of Medicine 330:95, 1994). This could not have happened with natural calcium fluoride. The Fagin article uses the term fluoride for both substances in many statements. For example the idea that fluoride has adverse effects at doses that are higher than those causing desired teeth effects compares apples and oranges. Natural calcium fluoride alters teeth structure without being as detrimental to bone as would unnatural fluorides. Natural calcium fluoride does not cause bone fluorosis of much significance until at least 10 ppm in drinking water lifetime (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2003). Unnatural fluorides without calcium however behave much differently. These are assimilated much more efficiently (90%) from the gut into the blood than is natural fluoride (10%)(ASTDR, 2003). Much lower doses lead to efficient accumulation of fluoride into bone (National Research Council, Report on Fluoride in Drinking Water, 2006, p. 94; ATSDR, 2003). Unfortunately, however as pointed out in the article, only unnatural fluorides are authorized by the CDC and ADA for water fluoridation. Yes, unnatural fluorides produce bone tumors in people exposed as children age 7-8. The study claiming otherwise merely mixed all data together into a pool so that the effect, that is real, is not statistically detectable due to dilution, where 7-8 year olds are only a small percent of the entire population of people. Our four most comprehensive studies have shown that unnatural fluorides do not reduce the incidence of dental caries but in fact usually increase them (for example Hileman, Chemical and Engineering News, Vol 67, No. 19, May, 1989). The original report that Newburgh had fewer caries was due to the fact that unnatural fluorides, which are calcium chelators and thus metabolic poisons that also effect the brain and thyroid, suppressed development of teeth so that first decay was merely delayed until later in the Newburgh children. The benefit was a statistical illusion (Pediatric Dentistry, Feb., 1998). Finally, tabulated fluoride contents of foods is of limited value since beverages usually contain mostly artificial fluorides if manufactured in fluoridated cities [because filtering cannot remove the ion, being smaller than the water molecule]. Solid foods however contain mostly natural calcium fluoride of much less concern
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAlthough reverse osmosis filters can lower fluoride, the amount depends on the beginning concentration of the fluoride. State certified units tested high levels and find a large amount of lowering, but the fluoride ion is smaller in diameter (2.6 Angstroms) than the water molecule (2.75 A) and cannot be removed by RO pores directly. My theory is that at high levels, RO may simply be removing calcium fluoride or aluminum fluoride precipitates, lowering the ion level indirectly. It is impossible to remove it entirely with filtration. A special procedure used by Aquathin claims its ion exchange device will remove it electrostatically [as we use in labs] and is worth a look. Aluminum filter I don't recommend because they change the fluoride into dangerous soluble aluminun fluoride and a subsequent filter is also needed to remove that. Another option is from Ecowater, a calcium canister of raw oyster shells that naturalizes the fluoride and filters much, like one's bones would have done, but before drinking it, not after. These though are thousands of dollars each and no undersink unit is yet available. Since the fluosilicic acid also is a byproduct toxic waste corrosive it usually contains arsenic and lead as well and I recommend using a good filter such as one from Multipure in Las Vegas or Seagull in Carlsbad, CA to remove these metals under-sink. Absorption from showering is more problematic. Some of my students developed a fluoride hypersensitivity from eating toothpaste when growing up. They now use calcium gels from the drug store to mix with shampoo to prevent the skin rashes that plagued them after silicofluoridation was begun in Escondido, CA a couple of years ago.
Richard Sauerheber, Ph.D.
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Edited by rsauerheber at 01/25/2008 6:51 PM Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
It is not comforting that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed fluoridation as a great health achievement along with family planning. In Pittsburgh as well as other places, synthetic estrogens from birth control are mutating fish in the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela Rivers. Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and others have shown that up to a third of fish have mutations, especially within their sexual organs, where many had organs of both sexes or had no organs at all. These studies traced much of these synthetic estrogen, endocrine disruptive chemicals causing such deformities to artificial birth control, what the U.S. CDC calls "Family Planning". If this is great, I would hate to see what would be something that is harmful to us. If the CDC claims that fluoridation is great, we should analyse it all the more closely for the harm it could cause.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.google.com/search?q=pittsburgh+estrogen+fish
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Edited by Aquaman at 02/15/2008 1:56 PM
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Edited by Aquaman at 02/15/2008 1:57 PM
My name is Russell Dobkins. I live in SW New Mexico, where fluoride in the well water is quite high. I have been studying the effects of fluoride poisoning for the past seven years. I have a degree in biology, with advanced studies in toxicology, human health and nutrition and endocrinology. I have been working out the biochemistry of how fluoride damages enzymes, hormones, biochemical pathways, and searching for how to prevent and cure fluoride poisoning. GOOD NEWS, it is possible to remove fluoride from your body, and correct much of the damage done! I wish to refer you to the good work done by a Dr. Guy Abraham, ex-professor of endocrinology at UCLA medical school. He has been working on the "Iodine Project" for the past ten years, and has developed a treatment which has been shown to remove fluoride and other toxic halogens and heavy metals from the body! A good place to start is to read the article "Iodine for Health" by Donald Miller, MD. Then check out the Optimox.com website, and read about "Iodoral". If you want to know how this "Fluoridation Madness" began, I suggest you read "Fluoride, Industry's Toxic Coup" by Joel Griffins. You'll find these all online. Me, I've found the cause and cure for ADHD, and written a paper on it called 'Monitoring and Correcting Maternal Levels of Thyroid Hormones to Optimize Neurological Development of the Fetal Brain". Again, iodine deficiency is the single most common cause of thyroid hormone defeciency, in the world, and fluoride excerbates it. The new CDC study on Diet and Nutrition found that 1/3 of American women do not get the minimum amount of iodine to maintain normal thyroid hormone function. Kelp is a good source of iodine, but you'd have to take alot of it to get enough. The Japanese eat about 14.5 grams of seaweed a day, containing about 45mg of iodine. The US population consumes about 240 micrograms a day. Is it any wonder that Japanese are smarter than Americans, live longer, have less cancer, diabetes, thyroid problems, obesity, and spend less on health care? When we Americans find out how we have been and are being poisoned by our government in collusion with industry and the military, I think people will be outraged, and heads will roll!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"It is not clear that the benefits of adding fluoride to drinking water outweigh risks of neurodevelopment or other effects such as dental fluorosis," according to an Institute for Children's Environmental Health report. (1)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"Excessive fluoride ingestion is known to lower thyroid hormone levels, which is particularly critical for women with subclinical hypothyroidism; decreased maternal thyroid levels adversely affect fetal neurodevelopment," reports a prestigious committee of scientists and health professionals in a Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Agents Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
"The question is what level of exposure results in harmful effects to
children. The primary concern is that multiple routes of exposure,
from drinking water, food and dental care products, may result in a
high enough cumulative exposure to fluoride to cause developmental
effects," they write.
References:
http://tinyurl.com/32o9u3
I encourage researchers on this topic, in evaluating statistics on children and fluoride, to consider the impact of orthodontia. Patients with braces are often given prescription toothpaste and mouthwash that contain high levels of fluoride. I've been told that the adhesive holding braces on is also a source of fluoride. Given that orthodontic treatment has become a rite of passage for many western kids (and more adults than in the past), this should be taken into account when analyzing the data.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSee Dr. Bob Marshall, Round Rock, Texas!!!! You can get his contact info off his site, www.healthline.cc. He has had amazing results in his 35+ years of clinical work and researching with toxic exposures as well as other issues. All natural approach!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCher JohnMac, you seem quite well informed. Is there a possible correlation between flouride levels and deppression (in particular Bi-Polar disorders)? Sincerely, Bacca
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHola. Has anyone heard of a correlation between flouride exposure and depression (in particular Bi-polar disorders) ?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFluorine Intoxication - Kaj Roholm 1937
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI made a pdf document from photo images of each page of the book. It has been uploaded here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/11757791/Fluorine-Intoxication-Kaj-Roholm-1937-Copenhagen
I thought you might like to see it and pass it on to your readers.
Sincerely,
Sandy TN, USA
Among other flaws in this tip-toe article, quoting .05-.07 as the dosage "most often cited by researchers" is intellectually dishonest, since most communities fluoridate at .07-1.1.: even with fluoride, toxicity probably equals dosage. When I finish the article, will I also discover that "impact" is a transitive verb? Jeepers!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOur pediatrician prescribed a Poly-Vitamin/Fluoride/Iron for our son, so I researched it.
The most compelling reasons to avoid use of fluoridated water, fluoride dentifrice, dietary fluoride supplements and other forms of fluoride as a supplement are:
1. It is risky because of possible a. Acute toxicity, b. Dental fluorosis, c. Bone health, d. Cancer, e. Dangers to infant health, and f. Other reasons.
2. It is ineffective… a. as found in epidemiological studies, b. Particularly if ingested, rather than applied topically, c. if dosage and dose response is uncontrolled and uncontrollable
3. It is unethical -- It is a violation of ethical or legal rules that prohibit medical treatment without medical supervision or informed consent.
4. Healthy alternatives exist to keep teeth healthy, such as a.Proper nutrition, b.Use of fibrous materials to dislodge food, neutralize acid and remineralize demineralized teeth.
5. The history of the conversion of this waste product to wonder drug is littered with conflicts of interest and evidence of deceit.
The AMA stated that “It is not prepared to state that fluoridated water is safe, nor has it done any research to determine any negative effects of water fluoridation.” Source: http://www.nofluoride.com/presentations/AMA_letter.pdf
The prevalence of dental fluorosis in this country is 37% and growing. Source: National Institute of Dental Research and the Center of Disease Control.
In November 2006, the ADA began recommending to parents that infants from 0-12 months should have their formula prepared with water that is fluoride-free, or contains low levels of fluoride to reduce the risk of fluorosis.
Several studies have found higher levels of lead in the drinking water in fluoridated areas.
“Persons who have grown up with fluoridated water have, on the average, only 1/2 of one filling less per lifetime than people who did not drink fluoridated water”. Source: Chemical and Engineering News, May 8, 1989.
Fluoride is a waste product of many heavy industries. A memo written on March 30, 1983, by Rebecca Hammer in the EPA's Office of Drinking Water, calls water fluoridation "an ideal environmental solution to a long-standing problem."
In the words of Dr. J. William Hirzy, VP of the EPA's Scientist Union, "…this [fluoride] that otherwise would be an air and water pollutant is no longer a pollutant as long as it's poured into your reservoir and drinking water. … Instead of paying a substantial amount to cart this stuff away, they get paid $180 a long ton by the water municipalities."
In addition to using a reverse osmosis unit you need to change the filter frequently to keep the flouride filtered out.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am with you on this Mo! 20 yrs in dentistry has given me many things....toxic chemicals being a few! Just as I was beginning to get a latex sensitivity i left the clinical world, and now realize what damage was done to my body in regards to inhalation and mixing chemicals. I've been an advocate for 2 yrs for safe natural products, and feel amazing about the changes people are able to make. I hope you continue to get healthier and stronger! Congratulations on hanging up your scalers!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMo in Houston: if I were facing heavy metal toxicity I would be taking far infrared saunas and thinking about Inositol Hexaphosphate to soak up toxic metals and excess minerals and talking with a holistically oriented physician or chiropractor about chelation, cathlation like waiora.com has in their Natural Cellular Defense product, and taking cracked flax seeds, broken cell chlorella, and anything else that might make sense to help the body detoxify.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe make Fluoride removal tanks for your whole house as well as under-sink systems from Reactivated Allumina.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisReverse Osmosis does remove fluoride, but it makes the water acidic, leaching calcium from your body. It also wastes, on average, 10 gallons for every one gallon of water. In cities that disinfect their water with chloramine instead of chlorine, like San Diego, reverse osmosis does not remove any of it. If you have a reverse osmosis system, you should be supplementing with liquid calcium!
The problem is that you ingest more chemicals from one shower through your skin and from breathing in the steam then you do from drinking water all day. Your digestive system can break down some of the chemicals in water, but your skin and lungs can't.
www.SanDiegoPureWater.com