Blue-Ribbon Scientific Panel Exposes Fluoridation's Serious Health
Risks
New York - March 31, 2006 -- Fluoride jeopardizes health - even at low
levels deliberately added to public water supplies - according to
data in a recent National Academy of Sciences' (NAS) National
Research Council (NRC) report. Fluoride poses risks to the thyroid
gland, diabetics, kidney patients, high water drinkers and others and
can severely damage children's teeth. (1) Two panel members advise
avoiding fluoridated water, according to an Oregon newspaper.(2)
An Oregon newspaper reports, "NAS panel member Kathy Thiessen, a
former senior scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory who has
studied fluoride for the EPA, said the report showed 'the potential
is there' that water fluoridation is unhealthy. As for the studies
finding that higher levels damage children's IQ, she said it's
possible water fluoridation levels may have a similar, albeit reduced
effect... the research suggests 'most people should minimize their
fluoride intake' - which includes avoiding fluoridated water."
"NAS panel member Robert Isaacson, a distinguished professor of
neurobehavioral science at the State University of New York in
Binghamton, agreed, saying that the possible effects on endocrines and
hormones from water-fluoridation are 'something that I wouldn't
want to happen to me...,'" reports the Portland Tribune.
The 12-member NRC fluoride committee unanimously decided that
fluoride's 4 milligrams per liter (4 mg/L) maximum-contaminant-level
must be lowered.
Adults consuming 8 milligrams fluoride daily, via two liters of 4mg/L
fluoridated water, risk weakened bones, fractures, and stage II
skeletal fluorosis (pain, joint stiffness, pelvis and spine
osteosclerosis). Some high-water drinkers consume 8 milligrams fluoride
daily when only 1 mg/L is added to their water supplies, according to
the report.
The adult daily dosage is equivalent to a 2.28 mg a day dose for a
child, according to chemistry professor, Paul Connett, PhD, Executive
Director, Fluoride Action Network.
Fluoride is also in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, dental products,
pesticide residues, cigarette smoke and air emissions.
About 2/3 of U.S. water suppliers deliberately add fluoride chemicals
(mostly industrial waste silicofluorides) to reach 0.7 to 1.2 mg/L,
so-called optimal, in a failed effort to prevent tooth decay. But,
"fluoride is a water contaminant over 1.3 mg/L," the NRC reports.
"This report is misleading by suggesting that the problem has to be
studied to death before decisions can be made," says retired EPA
scientist, Robert Carton, PhD. "The safe drinking water act requires
the federal government to act if there is any indication of possible or
anticipated adverse health effects in order to protect the most
vulnerable subsets of the population," says Carton
"Furthermore, why wasn't there a minority report?" asks Carton.
"Fluoride has detrimental effects on the thyroid gland of healthy
males at 3.5 mg a day.
With iodine deficiency, the effect level drops to 0.7 milligrams/day
for an average male, according to the report," says Carton.
Furthermore, studies linking fluoride to cancer and lowered IQ are
plausible, reports the NRC.
Eleven unions representing over 7,000 EPA scientists, engineers,
lawyers and others ask for a moratorium on fluoridation.
Insist legislators stop unnecessary water fluoridation. Suggested
letter here: http://capwiz.com/congressorg/sbx/f/?aid=8635566&r=1
The Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of any substance in the water
supply is the unenforceable level by which no one is harmed.
Based on the science reported by the NRC, the MCLG for fluoride should
be zero, which is very easily attainable for most water suppliers
costing no money and with free technology - just turn off the fluoride
with a twist of a spigot or a push of a button.
This is why the MCLG for fluoride should be set at zero and/or
fluoridation stopped. According to the NRC report:
1) Babies under one year consume over their adequate intake (to avoid
moderate fluorosis) from the water supply alone at the so-called
optimal concentrations (0.7 - 1.2 mg/L).
2) Some athletes, workers and/or military personnel already consume up
to 10 milligrams fluoride from optimally fluoridated water, alone.
3) "...severe renal insufficiency appears to increase bone fluoride
concentrations, perhaps as much as twofold."
4) "The elderly are at increased risk of high bone fluoride
concentrations due to accumulation over time..."
5) "There are medical conditions that can make people more susceptible
to the effects of fluoride."
6) "...several lines of information indicate an effect of fluoride
exposure on thyroid function...it is difficult to predict exactly what
effects on thyroid function are likely at what concentration of
fluoride exposure and under what circumstances."
7) "...all children through 12 who take fluoride supplements (assuming
low water fluoride) will reach or exceed [optimal]."
References:
1) "Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's
Standards," Committee on Fluoride in Drinking Water, Board on
Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Division on Earth and Life
Studies, National Research Council of the National Academies of
Science. March 2006
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11571.html?onpi_newsdoc03222006
2) "Fluoride foes get validation - Scientists: Substance less safe
than presumed: more research needed," by Nick Budnick, March 24,
2005, Portland Tribune
http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=34527
SOURCE: NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. [email hidden]
PO Box 263
Old Bethpage, NY 11804