Fluoride from Industrial Wastescontaminate water-Good Article

[Guest guest]

(Take note of the CDC's William Maas' misinformation and we need to do

something about it - but what?)

 

 

Fluoride Friend Or Foe? Part One

Rose Ann Haven

WKRG Channel 5 (CBS affiliate out of Mobile, Alabama)

Thursday, February 15, 2007

 

 

Part 1

Did you know the fluoride in your toothpaste isn't the same as what we

drink? This fluoride... we spit out is pharmaceutical grade. The fluoride local

governments put in your drinking water is industrial grade.Does it matter?

Should you care? North Baldwin utilities does... the water board stop putting

this in the water. Community coverage you can count looks at fluoride facts.

Nothing brightens a smile like a set of pearly whites. The dental community

gives fluoride much of the credit. " It simply makes the teeth harder. You

really can't understand that until you've put a dental drill on them and see

how

much harder the teeth are " says Doctor David Tillery, a long time dentist in

the Baldwin County town of Bay Minette. Tillery is a staunch supporter of

community water fluoridation and believes it's responsible for saving teeth of

many people who otherwise would be wearing dentures.

" it's a hazardous waste. It's a hazardous byproduct, it would have to be

disposed of in accordance with E.P.A. standards for handling hazardous waste.

As

it stands now, they can sell it to water districts and we can get rid of it

by putting it in the water " , says Margo Allen, Ph.D. She questions whether

we're risking overall health for strong teeth. Allen uses a filter in her home

to remove the chemical. But, as a member of the North Baldwin Utilities

Board, she recently voted to stop adding fluoride to the water supply. Allen

says,

" I sit on the board for a utilities company. We provide water for our

customers. We have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that what we put in the

water at our treatment plants is not going to harm the citizens that we serve.

We're going to remove the fluoride and we're going to give our customers a

choice, and we're going to recommend that they continue to brush their teeth

and

continue to use fluoride on an oral basis and see their dentist. That is

from a standpoint of informed consent. I think we're all concerned with

informed

consent. "

A video entitled _DRINKING WATER, " LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD_

(http://www.iaomt.org/) " , has the attention of water board members. In the

video you'll find

information also put out by the Fluoride Action Network, a group against

fluoridated drinking water. Fluoride opponents point to research in other

countries showing adverse health affects. _Dr. Robert Isaacson_

(http://psychology.binghamton.edu/Faculty/isaacson.html) , Distinguished

Professor of Psychology

in Binghamton New York, studied fluoride in rats. He says, " Fluoride treated

animals developed anatomical changes in the brain that are dramatically

similar to those in the alzheimer's patient. "

Dr. Isaacson says the kidneys were also affected, " The kidneys were greatly

impaired, and sometimes the space that is absolutely essential to the

absorption of waste products in the kidneys...was almost non-existent Of

course, if

it is non-existent you have a fatal situation " . Isaacson says as someone

who's served on a National Research Council Fluoride Committee, he's concerned

of

the lack of studies done on hydrofluorosilicic acid which goes into drinking

water. He says a plan of experimental studies endorsed by the National

Program of Toxicology never came about. " Yet, I must say that unpleasant fact

that

this set of studies was never undertaken by the EPA for unknown reasons. One

of the parts of the program which was going to be most essential was to

repeat many of the studies which had been done with the aluminum fluoride and

the

sodium fluoride with the fluorsilicic acid which is the most commonly used

chemical in the fluoridation of drinking water.

Researchers also point to the results of a Harvard Study published in 2006.

Dr. Elise B. Bassin has a background in Dental Health and Dentistry. She's

always been taught fluoride is safe and effective. So, what she discovered

surprised her. She found a link between fluoride levels in drinking water and

bone cancer in young boys. Despite her research, the Centers for Disease

Control

and Prevention in Atlanta still strongly supports fluoridated water.

" The National Research Council looked at all the studies that were

available. They actually had a pre-publication copy of Dr. Bassin's work " , says

Dr.

William Maas, Director of the Division of Oral Health. Doctor Maas adds, " In

the case of fluoride, we actually have a recent report. The National Academy of

Sciences is a group that the EPA goes to when they're trying to get an

objective answer to these questions. You know we have thousands of studies

about

fluoride in drinking water. So in order to sort that all out, you need to form

a panel of experts people coming from all different scientific backgrounds,

and so they've done that with the national research council. "

The National Research Council released a report on fluoride in drinking

water in March of 2006. The committee concluded " The evidence to date is

tentative and mixed as to whether fluoride has the potential to initiate or

promote

cancers, particularly of the bone. " The committee found the Environmental

Protection Agency's maximum drinking water standard for fluoride... " does not

protect against adverse health effects. " Children in communities with higher

fluoride levels are at risk of " developing severe tooth enamel

fluorosis " ...spots

on the teeth, and people drinking higher levels of fluoride " over a lifetime

are likely at increased risk for bone fractures. "

Dr. Bill Hirzy is a Scientist with the E.P.A. As a spokesperson for his

Union, he's taken his group's concerns to lawmakers in Washington. " We've

studied

the toxicity of fluoride for a long time. We started into this many many

years ago when an employee came to us saying that he was being asked to write a

regulation which he felt violated his sense of professional ethics, basically

that E.P.A said that the dose that would be safe to drink would would

actually in fact cause a substantial fracture of the people to have a condition

called moderate to severe dental fluorosis, and we got involved in looking at

the toxicity of fluoride when the employee came to us with that complaint. Over

the years, our concern has grown as other toxic effects become apparent " ,

says Hirzy.

But, despite fluoride opposition, fluoridated water gets the stamp of

approval from leading national organizations like the American Dental

Association

and the Centers for Disease Control. Hirzy claims, " Those organizations have

their institutional reputations involved in this. They hate to admit having

made a mistake " .Dr. Maas admits fluoride put in drinking water is industrial

grade, but, he says it passes standards set by the National Sanitation

Foundation and the American National Standards Institute. He says the byproduct

is

safe and environmentally friendly, " There's nothing toxic about the ore that's

left after they remove the phosphates. In fact for many of the companies,

they take the remaining ore and put it in a landfill on their property..because

there's nothing toxic about it " .

But, the CDC says it continually monitors and evaluates scientific

information on fluoridation as part of it's responsibility for public health

assurance

and protection. " In the meantime, the government agency looking out for your

public health wants you to enjoy the benefits fluoride offers and drink up.

" Fluoride is a first line of defense for the poor and indigent. There are

thousands of children out there that simply can't afford proper dental care and

the only thing they have is fluoride in the water That's all they've got

says, Dr. Tillery.

The E.P.A'S maximum standard for fluoride in the water is higher than what

most american communities actually have. The maximum standard is 4 parts per

million. The optimal level is considered about one part per million. To help

put that into perspective, The American Dental Association says to think of it

as being equivalent to about one inch in 16 miles or one penny in

10-thousand dollars. In part 2 of Fluoride Facts, find out how much fluoride is

in your

water, and what mothers need to know about fluoridated water before using it

to mix baby formula.

Story Links:

_ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY_ (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/hfacts.html)

 

_AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION_

(http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/index.asp)

_CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION_

(http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/osteosarcoma.htm)

_NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL “FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER, A SCIENTIFIC REVIEW

OF EPA’S STANDARDSâ€_ (http://www.nationalacademies.org/nrc/)

_FLUORIDE ACTION NETWORK_ (http://fluoridealert.org/)

_AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE_ (http://www.ansi.org/)

_NATIONAL SANITATION FOUNDATION_ (http://www.nsf.org/) _EPA HEADQUARTERS

UNION - DR. BILL HIRZY_ (http://www.nteu280.org/)

 

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Part 2

 

 

Boiling tap water to sterilize it, then mixing it with baby formula is

something new parents do all the time. Most do it without giving a second

thought

about the fluoride in the water. Boiling water does not remove the fluoride.

Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a statement

for mothers concerned about it.

_http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/infant_formula.htm_

(http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/infant_formula.htm)

Dental fluorosis isn't pretty to look at, spots on the teeth caused by

excessive fluoride use. Researchers who oppose fluoridated water say this is

proof

our children are getting too much fluoride. Dr. William Hirzy, a scientist

with the Environmental Protection Agency speaks on behalf of his Union. " The

toxicity of this stuff compared to any therapeutic benefit is way out of

bounds " , says Hirzy. But, dental health professionals have long said dental

fluorosis is a cosmetic problem not a health issue. " You take anyone that's got

dental fluorosis and you'll find that their teeth are in excellent condition

and

extremely hard " , says Dr. David Tillery a long time dentist in Bay Minette.

Now, the American Dental Association, and the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention are posting new information about mixing infant formula with

fluoridated water after a recent study. Dr. William Maas, CDC Director of Oral

Health says, " It seemed to be some evidence that exposure to fluoride from the

re-constituted formula during that first year of life was associated with

some increase risk of fluorosis " . Even though high fluoride exposure affects

the teeth, Dr. Maas says we shouldn't be worried about what it's doing to our

bones, " Your bones are very different, your bones are turning over all the

time, 99 percent of the fluoride that's in the body, is in the bones, and the

bones are constantly being re-structured and being re-shaped a we grow " .

The CDC recognizes community water fluoridation as one of the great public

health achievements of the 20th Century. " Oh, absolutely it's safe. The issue

is entirely about whether someone is concerned about reducing already a low

risk. But, reducing still further..the risk of some cosmetic blemishes on the

teeth " . Dr. Maas says fluoride is a naturally occuring mineral. It's also

found in drinks and food processed in fluoridated communities. Maas says the

biggest threat of fluorosis isn't from drinking fluoridated water, but, from

children swallowing toothpaste during the early years when teeth are forming.

He

says if you're worried about your child getting spots, even on their back

teeth, control their fluoride exposure through age eight. " The most important

thing to know is..........does your water supply have a normal than optimal

level, an optimal level or a greater than optimal level. Because that is the

basis for all the future decisions " , says Maas.

To find out how much fluoride is in your water...you can call your utility

company and ask. FLuoride occurs naturally in water. So, if you have a home

well, you may want to have a lab test your water. The CDC says your dentist,

physician, or public health department should be able to help you with that.

But, there are kits you can buy to test the water yourself. North Baldwin

Utilities gets it's supplies from USA Bluebook.

_http://www.usabluebook.com/_ (http://www.usabluebook.com/)

Hanna Colorimeter - Stock # 52200 -- $190.00

Fluoride Reagents - Stock # 52201 $23.00

 

 

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Honorable Frank Burt, Jr. (a pharmacist)

® - District No. 1

North Baldwin County

 

Municipalities:

City of Bay Minette

 

Communities:

Little River, Blacksher, Latham, Vaughn, Stockton, Redtown, Lottie, Rabun,

Perdido, Carpenter, Blakeley, Bromley, Cottage Hill, Pine Grove, Whitehouse

Forks, Crossroads, Dyas, Phillipsville, Vangordon, Stapleton & Steelwood

Contact Information:

 

Honorable Frank Burt, Jr.

Office of Vice Chairman

Office of County Commissioner, District No. 1

Baldwin County Commission

Baldwin County Administration Building

312 Courthouse Square, Suite 12

Bay Minette, Alabama 36507

 

(251) 937-0395 - Phone

(251) 580-2500 - Facsimile

_fburt_ (Facsimilefburt) - Email

Staff Contacts:

 

Lori G. Ruffin, Records Manager

(251) 580-2564 - Phone

_lruffin_ (lruffin) - Email

 

David A. Z. Brewer, Asst. County Administrator

(251) 580-2550 - Phone

_dbrewer_ (dbrewer) - Email

BIOGRAPHY:

_http://www.co.baldwin.al.us/PageView.asp?PageType=R & edit_id=522_

(http://www.co.baldwin.al.us/PageView.asp?PageType=R & edit_id=522)

 

 

 

 

ck

 

New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.

_http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof_ (http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof)

 

Fluoridation News Releases

_http://tinyurl.com/6kqtu_ (http://tinyurl.com/6kqtu)

 

Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas

_http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/_

(http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/)

 

Fluoride Action Network _http://www.FluorideAction.Net_

(http://www.fluoridealert.org/)

 

Fluoride Journal _http://www.FluorideResearch.Org_

(http://www.fluorideresearch.org/)