Fwd: Good Fluoride History and recent Scientific findings-Boca Raton,Florida

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Sat, 23 Aug 2003 14:18:29 EDT

Good Fluoride History and recent Scientific findings-Boca Raton,Florida

 

 

Subj: Article in Boca News (Florida)Â

8/22/2003 9:08:17 AM Eastern Standard Time

 

 

This was published in the paper on August 20th.Â

 

" County residents should turn out in force at the August 26th FluoridationÂ

Workshop "

 

Fluoridation:Â What's Being Ignored

By Carol L. Patton, RN

 

For fifty-five years, the promotion of water fluoridation was justified by the

theory that fluoride, incorporated into tooth enamel during childhood, would

result in teeth resistant to decay. This prior dogma was conclusively swept

away three years ago by the same authorities that long declared the theory

" scientifically undebatable. " Â Its import was barely noted in the major media.

 

" Fluoride, the key agent in battling caries [tooth decay], works primarily via

topical mechanisms… " and " …fluoride incorporated during tooth development is

insufficient to play a significant role in caries protection. " Â Â These

statements, from the July 2000 Journal of the American Dental Association

(JADA), followed an October 22, l999 report from the US Centers for Disease

Control (CDC) stating, " …fluoride prevents dental caries predominantly after

eruption of the tooth into the mouth, and its actions primarily are topical for

both adults and children. " Â Clearly, the theoretical justification for

ingesting fluoridated water no longer exists.Â

 

Dr. John Featherstone, author of the JADA cover story, remains a fluoridation

advocate. Still, he told the Salt Lake Tribune (10/29/00), " …brushing with

fluoridated toothpaste twice a day is as good or better than fluoride in the

drinking water. " Â Almost all toothpaste contains 1000-1500 parts per million

(PPM) fluoride providing far more concentrated exposure to teeth than brief

contact with drinking water at 1 PPM. Fluoridated toothpaste is widely used in

Western Europe, which is 98% free of water fluoridation, yet tooth decay rates

have declined as much there as in the US. Moreover, the judicious use of

fluoridated toothpaste minimizes potential adverse health effects associated

with lifelong ingestion of fluoride (a cumulative toxin), and allows for

individual freedom of choice.

 

Dental fluorosis (permanently discolored and defective tooth enamel) has long

been medically defined as a symptom of fluoride toxicity and is the red flag of

overdose. This condition is now epidemic in North America with rates up to 65%

in fluoridated areas and 40% in non-fluoridated areas. It is caused by

fluoridation and uncontrolled fluoride intake from foods and beverages processed

with fluoridated water, dental treatments, fluoride supplements,

pharmaceuticals, and pesticide residues on produce. Although proponents now

dismiss fluorosis as a cosmetic effect, even mild fluorosis is an abnormal

condition.

 

A major report from the National Research Council in 1993, Health Effects of

Ingested Fluoride, cited several studies revealing, " …dental fluorosis is more

prevalent among African-Americans than among other races or ethnic groups. " Â Â

The studies showed more than twice the fluorosis risk for black children. This

doubled risk was later confirmed in a 1999 study in Community Dentistry and Oral

Epidemiology. Authors Kumar and Swango wrote, " The higher risk for dental

fluorosis observed among African-Americans is consistent with other studies. " Â

A small percentage of fluorosis reported was rated as moderate to severe which

can be disfiguring and psychologically devastating.

 

Silicofluorides (SiFs) are used in 90% of US fluoridation programs, yet have

never been tested for safety or efficacy by any governmental agency. SiFs are

toxic waste products of the fertilizer industry and contain trace contaminants

including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. Two hundred thousand tons of

these chemicals are sold annually for fluoridation. If not used for this

purpose, industry would have to pay for disposal into hazardous waste sites.

 

In 2000, an alarming study in the journal NeuroToxicology reported that water

supplies treated with silicofluorides are linked to higher lead levels in

children's blood. This confirmed an earlier published study by authors Masters

and Coplan, bringing the number of children studied to over 400,000. As with

dental fluorosis, the data show that elevation in blood lead levels for

African-American children is twice that of other racial groups. It is well

established that even small increases in blood lead result in lower IQ scores,

behavioral problems, juvenile violence, and crime.

 

As with all studies negative to fluoridation, the blood lead studies have been

attacked by proponents, yet the data analysis and conclusions of these

peer-reviewed studies remain scientifically unrefuted. In fact, the National

Toxicology Program of the CDC has nominated silicofluorides to be tested, for

the first time, for toxicological and carcinogenic properties-after more than 50

years of experimental use on humans. (See www.fluoridealert.org for

documentation of effects on human health.)

 

The relentless promotion of fluoridation always centers on children and the

disadvantaged. However, mounting evidence of fluoride overexposure and its

adverse effects, in both fluoridated and nonfluoridated areas, indicatesÂ

that children are  being harmed -- and African-American children are

being harmed the most. This is especially intolerable in light of the

admission that ingesting fluoridated water was never warranted.

 

The Precautionary Principle has become a guiding concept to modern scientists.Â

Its basic tenet is: When there is evidence of harm from an action or substance,

even in the face of scientific uncertainty, action should be taken to prevent

that harm.  There is now an escalating call from scientists and health

professionals around the world to bring scientific integrity to evaluation of

the fluoridation issue. Since 1990, over 120 North American cities have

rejected and/or stopped the practice as public awareness of the risks continues

to grow.  County Commissioners have every reason to reject this ill-conceived

and outdated public policy. County residents should turn out in force at the

August 26th Fluoridation Workshop to make certain they do.

-------------------------

The author resides in Jupiter, FL and is Steering Committee Chair, South Florida

Citizens for Safe Drinking Water.

 

 

New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation

http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof

http://tinyurl.com/ad9k

 

Fluoride Action Network

http://www.fluoridealert.org