Fluoride in drinking water: Will the EPA get tougher?

Environmental health groups are now looking to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to impose tougher standards on fluoride in drinking water, building on a decision Friday by the federal Department of Health and Human Services to lower the recommended level for the first time in nearly 50 years.

The HHS move came in the wake of a government study showing that about 2 out of 5 adolescents have tooth streaking or spottiness because of excessive fluoride. In extreme cases, teeth can become pitted. 

The dangers may go beyond cosmetic issues. The EPA released two new reviews of research on fluoride Friday. One study found that prolonged, high intake of fluoride can increase the risk of brittle bones, fractures and crippling bone abnormalities.

Since 1962, the fluoridated water standard has been set at a range of 0.7 parts per million for warmer climates, where people's water intake was greater, to 1.2 parts per million in cooler regions. The new proposal from HHS would fix the recommended level at 0.7.

Although HHS recommends the level, it is up to the EPA, which regulates drinking water, to set a legal, enforceable standard. The EPA said Friday it is reviewing whether to lower the maximum allowable level of fluoride in drinking water from the current 4 parts per million -- a move urged by several consumer groups.

"This decision is another signal to the public to take care when it comes to exposures to industrial chemicals," said Jane Houlihan, senior vice-president of the Environmental Working Group, a Washington-based nonprofit organization. "What is considered safe today won't necessarily be thought safe tomorrow."

She said Friday's announcement is just the first step: "Now it's up to water utilities to respond and for the EPA to lower its too-high legal limit on fluoride in drinking water, which is more than five times the new maximum being recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services."

In 2006, the National Academy of Sciences recommended that the EPA lower the maximum allowable level of fluoride in drinking water. The academy's report warned severe fluorosis, a disorder resulting from the absorption of too much flourine, could occur at 2 parts per million. And a majority of the report's authors said a lifetime of drinking water with fluoride at 4 parts per million or higher could raise the risk of broken bones.

In 2005, the heads of 11 EPA unions, including those representing the agency's scientists, demanded that EPA reduce the permissible level of added fluoride in water to zero, citing research suggesting it can cause cancer. Other studies have pointed to neurotoxicity and hormone disruption from excessive fluoride.

Friday's announcement came as a growing number of critics have questioned the addition of the chemical to municipal drinking water. Dozens of cities have outlawed the addition of fluoride in drinking water in the last two decades, frequently after contentious public referenda.

In 2007, the Metropolitan Water District in Southern California considered increasing the levels of fluoride in its drinking water. The move was opposed by local activists, including the Environmental Working Group which published a report on the effects of fluoridating Los Angeles area water. The MWD adjusts the natural fluoride level in its water, which ranges from 0.1 to 0.4 parts per million, to 0.7 to 0.8 parts per million.

The government first began urging municipal water systems to add fluoride in the early 1950s. Since then, it has been put in toothpaste and mouthwash. It can also be found in some bottled water and soda. Some children take fluoride supplements.

According to the Centers for Disease Control,  a 1986-87 study showed that nearly 23% of children ages 12 to 15 had fluorosis. That rose to 41% in a study that covered 1999 through 2004. “It is not the water that's causing this," said Dr. Robert Barsley, a professor at Louisiana State University's Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry. "It's the extra fluoride products — toothpaste, mouthwash — that people are using. And people want nice white teeth so they brush three times a day.”

Dental and medical groups applauded the announcement. “This change is necessary because Americans have access to more sources of fluoride than they did when water fluoridation was first introduced,” Dr. O. Marion Burton, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in a statement.

In Europe, fluoride is rarely added to water supplies. In Britain, only about 10% of the population has fluoridated water. It has been a controversial issue there, with critics arguing people shouldn't have “medical treatment” forced on them.

The addition of fluoride to drinking water has been portrayed in the U.S. as one of the greatest public health successes of the 20th century. The prevalence of decay in at least one tooth among American teens has declined from about 90% to 60%, but that can also be attributed to improved dental care and fluoridated toothpaste, experts say. 

Although fluoridation critics have included prominent environmentalists and scientists, they have often been ridiculed by dental associations and fluoride proponents who have sought to associate the critics with a movement in the 1950s that had battled fluoride as a communist conspiracy. Most famously, fluoride opponents were mocked in the film "Dr. Strangelove."

More information is available here on the HHS proposal on fluoridation.

More information is available here on the Environmental Protection Agency fluoride standards.

RELATED STORIES

Chromium-tainted drinking water: time for a crackdown?

EPA fines Kettleman City dump over PCB contamination

Barstow residents avoiding perchlorate-tainted water

--Margot Roosevelt, with the Associated Press

Photo: Activists have fought the fluoridation of drinking water for decades. Here, a demonstrator from Los Angeles Citizens for Safe Drinking Water protested against fluoride at the 2000 Democratic convention. Credit: Clarence Williams/LA Times. 

 

Comments

[jr]

Correlation does not equal Causation

The comments posted range from half-truths (Tim / Maureen Jones / jwillie6), to utter nonsense (thomkas / chuck / MORGAN).

When it comes to fluoride, the science-illiteracy of the average American is revealed in all its pathetic glory.

The reality is that when properly administered, fluoride is an effective and safe prophylactic against tooth decay.

The CDC rates fluoridation as #9 on the list of top medical achievements of the last century.

But don't tell that to the luddites at the Green Party or the International Chiropractor's Association - or the simple-minded paranoiacs posting here.

[FluorideFreeFlorida]

Topical applications may be fine but everyone should reconsider ingesting it through the tap water. Approximately 75% of Florida residents are being forced to ingest fluorosilicic acid by the municipal governments. The FDA has approved 3 fluoride compounds to be used in toothpaste but has NEVER approved of the toxic waste that they are polluting our drinking water with.

Please join us in our effort to stop the practice of putting toxic chemicals in our tap water.

Fluoride Free Florida
http://fluoridefreeflorida.com/join-us/

[Tim]

The board of the Santa Clara Valley Water District (in California) held a public meeting March 22nd on water fluoridation. This summer they are scheduled to vote on whether or not to fluoridate the water supply. The board and their staff were given 20 copies of a 70 minute cd of doctors explaining the history, origin, and health hazards of this toxic waste. Doctors included John Lee, John Yiamouyannis, and Phyllis Mullenix. The audio is posted at the website www.MaeBrussell.com. Just go to the bottom of the homepage.

If people were to burn a cd of that audio and spread it around (especially to churches, schools, health food stores and health clubs) you might find it very effective in waking up the public in your area. Good luck.

[Sherry]

Fluoride is an essential mineral, not an industrial chemical. lol

[fire damage restoration nj]

This is where water damage restoration companies offers the most value. It will take you several hours of research and learning to figure out the best restoration plan for you house while a professional restoration company will often have years of experience on their hands.

[MORGAN]

Companies who produce fluoride once paid to have it removed, but they came up with the lie that fluoride is good for bones and teeth, which is totally false, in fact, fluoride is not meant to be ingested or used internally, but only externally but why use it at all? Presently fluoride is added to toothpaste as if it's somehow helpful to prevent tooth decay (stopping sweets, grains and sugar will do much better than brushing with a paste that contains toxic substances, more than one.). People are either too weak, apathetic, stupid, controlled, or insane, often caused by the amount of toxic chemicals they ingest each day though water, food, air, clothing, interiors, cosmetics, EMF's (electro-magnetic fields), artificial light and sound. There's only one solution, we'll all get so sick the entire system collapses. It won't be bloody, it will only be oblivion. Why will this happen? We adopted the Mantra of the Sociopaths among us. If one reads the definition of Sociopath and compare it to the definition of business/corporations/Wall Street, etc., they are nearly identical except for when the definition is singular. Government, corporations, most businesses, religions, and first world countries, to a greater or lesser degree, operate and embrace antisocial/sociopathic/psychopathic behavior and beliefs. We are lost, we have to go back to square one or we are simply doomed. It's not the end is near scenario, the end began when Western lifestyle was exported, wherever it went doctors were sure to follow and doctors don't have a clue how to heal anything let alone patients who become victims of physician ignorance and adhering to allopathic medicine, which isn't medicine at all, but simply mechanical responses to organic needs, they simply don't work. To heal organic needs we need organic responses, but try to explain that to a physician five years out med school or beyond, you can't, they don't understand what organic healing means let alone its application. Anyway, this is no more than a few words that are nothing more than nothing at all, even if true, brilliant, and workable. Comments mean nothing and this may be the last one I'll ever write, instead, I may start a website based on revolutionary thought and action, no violence allowed, for I leave that to experts who are protected by laws that favor violence toward those who don’t behave as they demand. Violence is done every day through our police, hospitals, prisons, traffic, workplace, homes, schools, TV, radio, and publications. We simply don't learn from history, reality or life. Jonas Salk said if insects were to disappear people would disappear within fifty years, but if people were to disappear all of life left would thrive. Lincoln said he feared for the republic (that's us) since corporations have been enthroned whereby all the wealth would soon be in a few hands and work upon the prejudices of the people. That was in 1864. Too bad the two opposing sides during the Civil War didn't turn their gaze on corporations run by sociopaths, who by the way, rarely end up in prison, for the fact is, they are very pro-prison advocates, that sidetracks us to believe we lock up criminals when the real criminals create a social structure that enslaves us and those who refuse to be enslaved often go against injustice and end up in the slammer. Many judges, lawyers, prosecutors, cops, and politicians are of the sociopathic breed, they pass laws, to maintain their control and they use cops, judges, and so called law to enforce their will on us and call it freedom and democracy. We live aboard a ship inhabited by fools while the sociopaths live well, and find us most ridiculous and essentially stupid. Anyone who reads this and isn't offended, however, is not a fool, for a fool would go ballistic reading this, they would call it socialistic, insane, stupid, or anti-government. There was a book William Buckley's friend wrote, Our Enemy, the State by Albert Jay Nock. Read that and a few other publications in that venue and maybe, but I doubt it, we might realize we are on a road to hell, at least we're setting our children on that road. What will we do about it? Nothing.

[Intercept Media]

Why do people still view fluoride as safe to ingest?
Neuro-surgeon Dr. Russell Blaylock describes how the scientific literature on the dangers of fluoride has changed over time to assist with generating profits for manufacturers.

http://tinyurl.com/45bmhlg

[jwillie6]

There are many large scientific studies to show that that drinking fluoridated water has no effect on cavity reduction and to show that it causes cancer and other health problems. The best source for scientific information on fluoridation can be found here: (www.fluoridealert.org).
If fluoride were "proven," there should be evidence of its glory in Kentucky, which has been 100% fluoridated for over 40 years. Kentucky, however, leads the nation in the number of dental cavities in children, and in the number of completely toothless adults, according to government records. The same ineffectiveness is evident in many states and cities.

Most of Europe (16 countries) has rejected fluoridation and is 98% fluoride free. and the WHO reports that they have a better tooth decay rate than any fluoridated country.
Both the CDC and the ADA have stated polities that infants and babies should not consume fluoride. Exactly why won't they publicize this policy for young mothers?
If you want fluoride in your water, put it in your own glass of water, leave the rest of us out of it.
There are many large scientific studies to show that that drinking fluoridated water has no effect on cavity reduction and to show that it causes cancer and other health problems. The best source for scientific information on fluoridation can be found here: (www.fluoridealert.org).
Both the CDC and the ADA have stated polities that infants and babies should not consume fluoride. Exactly why won't they publicize this policy for young mothers?

[Bill Johnson]

All the articles cited below have issues; re: the hip fracture one was done in Utah with nursing home patients as skewing the sample. The Bassin papers never passed peer review. The in vitro tox studies were done at 100 ppm. I've read all these articles as part of a referendum review in Flagstaff AZ. The anti fluoride folks aren't objective about this. 0.7 ppm is probably fine. Look at towns like Colorado Springs El Paso and Jacksonville high Fl content but no difference from any other city as far as cancer, osteoporosis etc. I'd be more worried about cryptosporidia, arsenic and lead in water

[Christina]

Why is the LOGICAL solution of NOT putting fluoride in the drinking water considered crazy? Those who need the extra boost can get it from any of 10 billion dental products (which are typically cheaper than the hard to find NON-fluoride products).

And those who don't need it aren't getting doses of a medicine they don't need.

[Tracey Brieger]

Thanks for the article, Margaret. As with many toxics (and other) issues, it's always helpful to understand the economics behind them: who are the parties that stand to make profits from pushing fluoride in drinking water?

[Islamic Women Clothes]

Good one on EPA. Thanks for sharing.

[ETF Investing]

I think the EPA should ban all additional fluoride in the tap and drinking water.

[chuck]

Its basically a metal byproduct of aluminum. Fluoride was used by Nazis to sterilize inmates and make them docile. Fluoride a key dumbing down ingredient of Prozac and Sarin nerve gas -- poisons of choice for tyrant rats.

I couldn't agree more with both of thomkas's posts.....fluoride is just like the great cover up of thimerosal in vaccines!!!!!

[The Truth]

What companies produce fluoride industrially? How is it made for human consumption?

[Thomkas]

Government warnings regarding fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated mouthwash:

“Keep out of reach of children under 6 yrs of age. If you swallow more than used for brushing, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away”

"If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Centre right away"

“Never give fluoridated mouthwash or mouth rinses to children under six years of age, as they may swallow it”

“Use non-fluoridated toothpaste or no toothpaste for young children.”

“Make sure that your children use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on
their toothbrush”

Remember:
** A pea size amount of pharmaceutical grade fluoridated toothpaste contains about 0.25mg of fluoride. One glass of industrial grade fluoridated water contains the same amount of fluoride. We are told not to ingest the pharmaceutical grade fluoride in toothpaste. We are told to ingest the industrial grade fluoride in drinking water. **

See here: http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/pet_243_e_30927.html

[Thomkas]

The only thing fluoride in the drinking water is doing is dumbing down the masses for the ruling class. Water fluoridation promoters are criminals and should be put in jail.

[Matthew G Heberger]

I never understood the furor over fluoride in drinking water.

I'm 35 and have never had a cavity. I say thank you to the public health specialists who put fluoride in my hometown's drinking water.

[john simms]

I think the EPA should ban all additional fluoride in the tap and drinking water. It's OK to have it in toothpastes, etc. But people with dentures shouldn't be exposed to it. As they don't need it.

[Maureen Jones]

1) Fluoridation: Not Safe at 1 ppm!

From the California Dental Association Executive Bulletin, January 12, 2010:

“Specifically, ADA granted CDA $200,000 to assist in our effort to prevent the placement of “fluoride and its salts” on the List of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity that is produced by the State of California, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) requires the governor to publish this list of toxic chemicals each year. OEHHA is currently considering fluoride and its salts for inclusion in the Proposition 65 listing. A determination is expected within the next 13 months.”

Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) and Fluoridation
Caffey (1955) noted that the age, sex, and anatomical distribution of the cortical bone defects observed in the Kingston-Newburgh fluoridation trial were “strikingly” similar to that of osteogenic sarcoma. There was no follow up study.
Cohn (1992). The New Jersey Department of Health conducted a study of osteosarcoma occurrence in seven Central New Jersey counties. The study finds a statistically significant relationship between fluoridated water and osteosarcoma among males less than 20 years old.
Bassin (2001). A Doctoral Thesis from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine analyzed data from a large case control study of fluoride and osteosarcoma. A robust, statistically-significant relation (7 times increase) was found between consumption of fluoridated water during the childhood growth spurt (ages 6-8) and osteosarcoma among boys less than age 20.
Bassin (2006) Above age-specific work published in Cancer Causes and Control 17: 421-8. Among boys less than age 20 who consumed water with 0.3 to 0.99 ppm fluoride between ages 6-8, the risk of osteosarcoma was five times greater than for boys drinking nonfluoridated water. At 1 ppm or more, the risk was seven times greater.

Takahashi K et al. (2001) Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 11, No. 4 July. From the abstract:
Age-specific and age-standardized rates (ASR) of registered cancers for nine communities in the U.S.A. (21.8 million inhabitants, mainly whites) were obtained from IARC data (1978-82, 1983-87, 1988-92). The percentage of people supplied with “optimally” fluoridated drinking water (FD) obtained from the Fluoridation Census 1985, U.S.A. were used for regression analysis of incidence rates of cancers at thirty six sites (ICD-WHO, 1957). About two-thirds of sites of the body (ICD) were associated positively with FD. Cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, colon and rectum, hepato-billiary and urinary organs were positively associated with FD. This was also the case for bone cancers in male, in line with results of rat experiments. The likelihood of fluoride acting as a genetic cause of cancer requires consideration.

New Scientist Jan. 22, 1981.
Hydrogen bonding is a weak interaction that holds molecules together. They make and break easily and this is what makes them so versatile - indeed the hydrogen bonds formed between amides (the links between amino acids) are the most important weak hydrogen bonds in biological systems. That these can be disrupted by fluoride in the formation of much stronger bonds may explain how the chemically inert fluoride ion could interfere in the healthy operation of living systems. Thus some of the serious charges that are being laid at its door - genetic damage, birth defects, cancer and allergy response - may arise from fluoride interference after all.

Hip Fracture and Fluoridation
Fluoride is incorporated more readily into mineralizing new bone rather than existing bone. Thus, adults retain about 50 percent of ingested fluoride whereas infants and children retain 87 percent. When fluoride substitutes the hydroxyl ion in the crystal lattice of bone, it makes bone more brittle and diminishes tensile strength. The link between fluoridated water and hip fracture:
1a) Cooper C, et al. (1990). J of Epidemiology and Community Health 44:17-19.
1b) Cooper C, et al. (1991). J American Medical Asso. 266:513-514.
2) Danielson C, et al. (1992). J American Medical Asso. 268: 746-748
3) Hegmann KT, et al. (2000). American Journal of Epidemiology P. S18.
4) Jacobsen SJ, et al. (1992). Annals of Epidemiology 2: 617-626.
5) Jacobsen SJ, et al. 1990). J American Medical Asso. 264(4): 500-2.
6a) Jacqmin-Gadda H, et al. (1995). J American Medical Asso. 273: 775-776 (letter).
6b) Jacqmin-Gadda H, et al. (1998). Epidemiology 9(4): 417-423.
7) Keller C. (1991) Osteoporosis International 2: 1109-117.
8) Kurttio PN, et al. (1999) American J of Epidemiology 150(8): 817-824.
9) May DS, Wilson MG. (1992). Osteoporosis International 2:109-117.

Fluoridated Water and the Brain
Varner JA et al. Brain Research 784, 284-298 (1998). Twenth-seven rats were divided into three groups and for one year were given either distilled water, distilled water with 2.1 ppm NaF – the same concentration of fluoride normally used in fluoridated drinking water – or distilled water with 0.5 ppm AlF3. In both treated groups, the aluminum levels in the brain were elevated relative to controls. The researchers speculate that fluoride in water may complex with the aluminum in food and enable it to cross the blood-brain barrier. Both treated groups also suffered neural injury and showed increased deposits of B-amyloid protein in the brain, similar to those seen in humans with Alzheimer’s disease. “While the small amount of ALF3 …required for neurotoxic effects is surprising, perhaps even more surprising are the neurotoxic effects of NaF” at 2.1 ppm, the authors write.

Masters R.D., Coplan M.J. et al. NeuroToxicology 21(6): 1091-1100. (2000) From the abstract:
Chronic, low-level dosage of silicofluoride (SiF) has never been adequately tested for health effects in humans. We report here on a statistical study of 151,225 venous blood lead (VBL) tests taken from children ages 0-6 inclusive, living in 105 communities of populations from 15,000 to 75,000. The tests are part of a sample collected by the New York State Department of Children’s Health, mostly from 1994-1998. Fluoridation status was determined from the CDC 1992 Fluoridation Census. For every age/race group, there was consistently significant association of SiF treated community water and elevated blood lead. The highest likelihood of children having VBL greater than the danger level of 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood occurs when they are both exposed to SiF treated water and likely to be subject to another risk factor known to be associated with high blood lead. Results are consistent with prior analyses of surveys of children’s blood lead in Massachusetts and NHANES III.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Fluoridation
The kidneys are exposed to significant amounts of fluoride as they try to eliminate it from the body. At risk of retaining harmful levels of fluoride are the 16.8 % of U.S. population aged 20 years and over who have Chronic Kidney Disease (2004 NHANES). Formerly a proponent of fluoridation, the National Kidney Foundation wrote on April 15, 2008, “The 1981 NKF position paper on fluoridation is outdated. The paper is withdrawn and will no longer be circulated.”

Maureen Jones, Archivist – Citizens for Safe Drinking Water – www.Keepers-of-the-Well.org
maureenj@pacbell.net (408) 297-8487 Fluoride Action Network – www.FluorideAlert.org

2) Fluoride: Not Effective at 1 ppm!

Fluoridation has historically been “sold” to politicians and civic leaders by using photos of rampant Baby Bottle/Sippy Cup Tooth Decay (BBTD), a highly visible decay of the upper front teeth. The cause of the decay is high levels of strep mutan bacteria. Fluoridated water at 1 ppm does not kill this bacteria that, 1) colonize on tooth surfaces, 2) thrive and multiply on sugars, and 3) pass their acidic waste onto the dental enamel causing the damage we call tooth decay.

50 percent of U.S. Head Start children have Baby Bottle/Sippy Cup tooth decay from high levels of strep mutans bacteria. A steady source of sugar is supplied to the bacteria by sipping fluids rather than drinking fluids from a cup. The bacteria's acidic waste first ravages the primary teeth and then continues on to decay the permanent teeth.

In January 2000, Dr. Kathleen Thiessen, Senior Risk Assessment Scientist at SENES Oak Ridge Inc. Center for Risk Analysis, reviewed the 1993-94 California Oral Health Needs Assessment for the City of Escondido (Keepers-of-the-Well.org, #17 Effectiveness) and stated in her critique:

1) For preschool children, … any evaluation of the effectiveness of various measures (fluoridation) must control for the occurrence of BBTD and,

2) Any study of the effectiveness of a particular measure (fluoridation) in preventing dental caries must control for the presence of dental sealants, or the results will be meaningless. and,

3) In addition, if children with BBTD are thought to be more prone to developing caries in permanent teeth, then history of BBTD vs. caries incidence should be examined for both preschool and elementary children.

The dental literature is clear that elementary school children with a history of BBTD are indeed more prone to decay in permanent teeth. Therefore, controlling or adjusting for history of BBTD in elementary school children should be the norm but is never done! By not adjusting for BBTD history and sealants, dental studies of school children can claim a (false) fluoridation benefit!
_______________

J H Shaw. “Causes of Dental Caries; Microbial Agents” New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 317 No 16, Oct. 15, 1987.

When rats are delivered by cesarean section and maintained under sterile conditions, they can be kept in a germ-free state for generations. Carious lesions do not develop when germ-free rats are fed a caries-producing diet.

Bacteriocin typing of S. mutans has indicated that the mother is a major source of oral infection in her infant. …When all carious lesions in pregnant women were restored and they followed good dietary practices, their salivary S. mutans counts decreased to low levels. When these low counts were maintained during their infants' early lives, their salivary counts of S. mutans were also low and they acquired fewer carious lesions than other children of comparable age. When children in the same study became infected with S. mutans before the age of two years, they had approximately eight times as many carious lesions as children in whom S. mutans was not detected until the age of four.

Auge, K. Denver Post Medical Writer. Doctors donate services to restore little girl's smile. The Denver Post, April 13, 2004. (Note: Denver, CO has been fluoridated since 1954.)
“Sippy cups are the worst invention in history. The problem is parents' propensity to
let toddlers bed down with the cups, filled with juice or milk. The result is a sort of
sleep-over party for mouth bacteria,” said pediatric dentist Dr. Barbara Hymer as she
applied $5,000 worth of silver caps onto a 6-year-old with decayed upper teeth. Dr.
Brad Smith, a Denver pediatric dentist estimates that his practice treats up to 300 cases a
year of what dentists call Early Childhood Caries. Last year, Children's Hospital did
2,100 dental surgeries, many of which stemmed from the condition, Smith said, and
it is especially pervasive among children in poor families.

Shiboski CH et al. The Association of Early Childhood Caries and Race/Ethnicity Among California Preschool Children. J Pub Health Dent; Vol 63, No 1, Winter 2003.
Among 2,520 children, the largest proportion with a history of falling asleep sipping
milk/sweet substance was among Latinos/Hispanics (72% among Head Start and 65%
among non-HS) and HS Asians (56%). Regarding the 30% and 33% resultant decay
rates respectively; Our analysis did not appear to be affected by whether or not
children lived in an area with fluoridated water.

Barnes GP et al. Ethnicity, Location, Age, and Fluoridation Factors in Baby Bottle Tooth Decay and Caries Prevalence of Head Start Children. Public Health Reports; 107: 167-73, 1992.
By either of the two criterion i.e., two of the four maxillary incisors or three of the four maxillary incisors, the rate for 5-year-olds was significantly higher than for 3-year-olds. Children attending centers showed no significant differences based on fluoride status for the total sample or other variables.

Kelly M et al. The Prevalence of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Among Two Native American
Populations. J Pub Health Dent; 47:94-97, 1987.
The prevalence of BBTD in the 18 communities of Head Start children ranged from 17 to 85 percent with a mean of 53%. The surveyed communities had a mixture of fluoridated and non fluoridated drinking water sources. Regardless of water fluoridation, the prevalence of BBTD remained high at all of the sites surveyed.

“Fluoride primarily protects the smooth surfaces of teeth, and sealants protect the pits and fissures (grooves), mainly on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Although pit and fissure tooth surfaces only comprise about 15% of all permanent tooth surfaces, they were the site of 83% of tooth decay in U.S. children in 1986-87.”
Selected Findings and Recommendations from the 1993/94 CA Oral Health Needs Assessment.

“Because the surface-specific analysis was used, we learned that almost 90 percent of the remaining decay is found in the pits and fissures (chewing surfaces) of children's teeth; those surfaces that are not as affected by the protective benefit of fluoride.”
Letter, August 8, 2000, from Jeffrey P. Koplan, M.D., M.P.H., CDC Atlanta GA.

“Nearly 90 percent of cavities in school children occur in the surfaces of teeth with vulnerable pits and grooves, where fluoride is least effective.”
Facts From National Institute of Dental Research. Marshall Independent Marshall, MN, 5/92.
_______________________
Maureen Jones, Archivist - Citizens for Safe Drinking Water - www.Keepers-of-the-Well.org
maureenj@pacbell.net (408) 297-8487 Fluoride Action Network - www.FluorideAlert.org

[guest]

It's misleading to imply that the National Academy of Sciences's 2006 study recommended lowering the amount of fluoride added to localities with no or little natural fluoride in their drinking water. That study looked at fluoride "contamination" or "pollution" from natural sources or from run-off that enters some communitys' water supplies, and the concern is that the EPA's maximum safe level of 4 ppm is too high before communities begin removing fluoride pollution. The maximum total fluoride recommended for purposeful fluoridation programs is has been .7, but sometimes 1.2 in cold weather areas where people drink less water. The new recommendation proposes .7 ppm, as we have so many other sources of fluoride now that a higher level may not be necessary (not that it has been harmful). In fact, the NAS says on their site: "The safety of fluoride in drinking water at levels recommended for preventing tooth decay has been affirmed by numerous scientific and professional groups. Scientists have found a lack of evidence to show an association between water fluoridation and a negative impact on people, plants, or animals. "

[jwillie6]

If you want fluoride in your water, put it in your own glass of water, leave the rest of us out of it.
If fluoride were "proven," there should be evidence of its glory in the U.S. state, Kentucky, which has been 100% fluoridated for over 40 years. Kentucky, however, leads the nation in the number of dental cavities in children, and in the number of completely toothless adults, according to government records. The same ineffectiveness is evident in many states and cities.

Most of Europe (16 countries) has rejected fluoridation and is 98% fluoride free. and the WHO reports that they have a better tooth decay rate than any fluoridated country.
There are many large scientific studies to show that that drinking fluoridated water has no effect on cavity reduction and to show that it causes cancer and other health problems. The best source for scientific information on fluoridation can be found here: (www.fluoridealert.org).

[Tommy Wilson]

Hirzy: EPA drags feet on fluoride
http://www.theeagleonline.com/news/story/hirzy-epa-drags-feet-on-flouride/

CRS Report RL33280 for Congress Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Review of Fluoridation and Regulation Issues
http://ncseonline.org/NLE/CRSreports/08Mar/RL33280.pdf

Physician–Legislator Advises Tennessee Water Districts to Halt Water Fluoridation
http://www.fluoridealert.org/hensley.pdf

[Tommy Wilson]

Suzanne Somers explains fluoride
http://www.malibutimes.com/articles/2007/12/19/editorial/opinion/opinion1.txt

Complaint with the Washington State Health Dept over fluoride.
http://yes4cleanwater.org/Documents/Complaint%20Final.pdf

2003 Statement of Concern about fluoride
http://www.nteu280.org/Issues/Fluoride/flouridestatement.htm

http://www.dentalconfessions.com

http://www.fluoridealert.org