Transcript Fluoridation 101: Questions & Answers

There’s Something in the Water:
Ten Facts About Fluoridation
Presentation by
Michael Connett
Fluoride Action Network
January 13, 2010
FACT #1
Fluoride is the only chemical added
to water for the purpose of medication.
“Fluoride, when used… in the treatment or prevention of disease, is a drug.”
FDA, December 21, 2000
FACT #2
Most Western Countries
Have Rejected Water Fluoridation
GERMANY:
“The argumentation of the Federal Ministry of Health
against a general permission of fluoridation of drinking water is the
problematic nature of compulsion medication."
BELGIUM:
"This water treatment has never been of use in Belgium and will
never be into the future. The main reason is the fundamental
position of the drinking water sector that it is not its task to
deliver medicinal treatment to people.”
97% of Western Europe now drinks
Non-Fluoridated Water
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
Norway
Scotland
Sweden
Switzerland
FACT #3
The “Fluoride” Added to Chester’s Water is a
Cheap Industrial Waste Product
“By recovering by-product fluorosilicic acid from fertilizer manufacturing,
water and air pollution are minimized, and water authorities
have a low-cost source of fluoride.”
- Rebecca Hanmer, Deputy Asst Admin, EPA Office of Water, March 30, 1983
FACT #4
Fluoridated Water Has Been Linked
To Higher Lead Levels
“Public drinking water treated with silicofluorides (SiFs),
is linked to higher uptake of lead in children.”
- Dartmouth University Press Release,
Dec. 15, 2001.
FACT #5
Even pharmaceutical fluoride is a toxic chemical.
Read the warning on your toothpaste tube.
“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.”
FACT #6
According to the ADA,
infants should not drink fluoridated water.
"If using a product that needs to be reconstituted,
parents and caregivers should consider using
water that has no or low levels of fluoride."
SOURCE: American Dental Association, Nov 9, 2006
FACT #6
#7
32% of American kids have visible
signs of fluoride toxicity
Dental Fluorosis
Fluorosis is the first visible sign of fluoride toxicity.
Dental fluorosis represents a toxic effect on
developing tooth cells.
"it is illogical to assume that tooth enamel is the only tissue
affected by low daily doses of fluoride ingestion."
- Dr. Hardy Limeback, Head of Preventive Dentistry,
University of Toronto, 2000
FACT #8
#7
According to the National Research Council,
fluoride may harm other tissues
besides the teeth.
National Research Council (2006):
Fluoride & Skeletal System
"All members of the committee agreed that
there is scientific evidence that under certain conditions
fluoride can weaken bone and increase the risk of fractures.”
National Research Council (2006):
Fluoride & the Brain
“it is apparent that fluorides have the ability to
interfere with the functions of the brain.”
National Research Council (2006):
Fluoride & the Thyroid
“several lines of information indicate an effect of
fluoride exposure on thyroid function.”
FACT #9
#8
Fluoride’s main benefit is TOPICAL.
There is NO Need to Swallow it.
"Fluoride's predominant effect is posteruptive and topical."
Centers for Disease Control, 2001
“Its actions primarily are topical for both adults and children."
Centers for Disease Control, 1999
FACT#10
#9
FACT
Many Children Are Ingesting Too Much
Fluoride from Toothpaste Alone
"Virtually all authors have noted that some children
could ingest more fluoride from [toothpaste] alone than is
recommended as a total daily fluoride ingestion."
SOURCE: Journal of Public Health Dentistry; 1999; p. 211-23.
Tooth decay has declined in the US
over the past 50 years, but…
SOURCE: US Centers for Disease Control (CDC); 1999
…the same (often greater) declines in
tooth decay have occurred in all
NON-fluoridated western countries.
SOURCE: World Health Organization. (Data online)
For further information about fluoride,
visit www.FluorideAction.Net