Fluoride: A Threat to the Brain

[Guest guest]

This is the full consensus statement discussing the review's findings on

fluoride. In my opinion, this is of great interest to all those with any

neurological conditions as well as respiratory conditions. But it seems that

many

biological systems are dependent on the brain; just for example, the

endocrine, immune and reproductive systems which includes bone formation as

well as

developement etc.

blessings

Shan

 

Fluoride: A Threat to the Brain

 

On February 20th, a distinguished panel of experts convened by the

_Institute of Children's Environmental Health_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=hdEuVZlqkBSo0s9OT6CSFvwl\

8CN5y/88) released a _consensus

statement_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=Q6/CDEk1DNO5TF6IIcU3Tj7W\

SQ+6GziW) summarizing " the latest science about environmental

contaminants associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as learning

disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity

disorder

(ADHD), intellectual disabilities and developmental delays. " Fluoride was one

of the environmental contaminants reviewed by the scientists. According to

the report:

" Excessive fluoride ingestion is known to lower thyroid hormone levels,

which is particularly critical for women with subclinical hypothyroidism:

decreased maternal thyroid levels adversely affect fetal neurodevelopment. In

addition, a study in China reported decreased child IQ levels associated with

fluoride in drinking water. The question is what level of exposure results in

harmful effects to children. The primary concern is that multiple routes of

exposure, from drinking water, food and dental care products, may result in a

high enough cumulative exposure to fluoride to cause developmental effects...

It

is not clear that the benefits of adding fluoride to drinking water outweigh

risks of neurodevelopment or other effects such as dental fluorosis. "

 

 

Scientific Consensus Statement on Environmental Agents

Associated with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

_http://www.fluoridealert.org/scientific.consensus.nov.2007.pdf_

(http://www.fluoridealert.org/scientific.consensus.nov.2007.pdf)

 

[ extract ]

 

This consensus statement outlines the current scientific understanding of

the links between environmental factors and learning and developmental

disabilities.

 

Though many of the environmental contaminants discussed in this document can

also undermine the healthy development of other biological systems in the

body, such as the reproductive, endocrine and immune systems, this consensus

statement is focused solely on the developing brain and nervous system. This

distinction is somewhat artificial since the impact of toxicants upon these

other systemic processes may have effects that feed back and impact brain

function. Although it is often believed that endocrine function, for example,

is

independent of brain development, it is now clear that they are so closely

entwined that endocrine toxicants are, in essence, neurodevelopmental

toxicants.

 

Other neurologically based disorders have also been shown to have

environmental contributors, especially Parkinson’s disease (1-4), mental

illness

including schizophrenia (5), cerebral palsy (6) and epilepsy. This document

focuses

on learning and developmental disorders and does not address these

conditions.

 

Contents

 

1 Introduction ..................................................... 3

1.1 Purposes of the document......................... 3

1.2 Scope and incidence of disorders ............. 3

1.2.1 Definitions of LDDs.......................... 4

1.2.2 Overview of brain development ........ 4

1.2.3 Incidence............................................ 4

1.2.4 Impacts on individuals, families and

society......................................................... 5

2 Historical Perspective...................................... 5

3 Environmental Contributors to Disorders........ 7

3.1 Timing of exposure................................... 7

3.2 Bioaccumulation and mixtures................. 7

3.3 Mechanisms of disruption ........................ 8

3.4 Variable sensitivity................................... 8

3.5 Evidence of exposures (body burden) ...... 8

3.6 Other environmental factors..................... 8

3.6.1 Pharmaceuticals................................. 9

3.6.2 Genetic factors................................... 9

3.6.3 Environmental justice:

socioeconomics, nutrition and stress .......... 9

4 Status of Evidence on Environmental Agents. 9

4.1 Human and animal assessment of learning

and development............................................. 9

4.2 High-confidence conclusions ................. 10

4.2.1 Alcohol ............................................ 11

4.2.2 Lead................................................. 11

4.2.3 Mercury ........................................... 11

4.2.4 PCBs................................................ 12

4.2.5 PBDEs ............................................. 12

4.2.6 Manganese....................................... 12

4.2.7 Arsenic............................................. 12

4.2.8 Solvents ........................................... 12

4.2.9 PAHs................................................ 13

4.2.10 Pesticides....................................... 13

 

4.2.11 Nicotine and environmental tobacco

smoke........................................................ 13

4.3 Other contributors and emerging evidence

....................................................................... 13

4.3.1 Endocrine disruptors........................ 13

4.3.2 Fluoride ........................................... 14

4.3.3 Food additives ................................. 14

5 Call for Further Research .............................. 14

5.1 Better assessment tools and procedures.. 14

5.2 In vitro (test-tube) screening of both new

and old compounds....................................... 15

5.3 Chronic effects of hazardous chemicals. 15

5.4 Multiple exposures ................................. 15

5.5 Low-level exposures............................... 15

5.6 Interactions with socioeconomic factors

(environmental justice)................................. 15

5.7 Effects of endocrine disruption on

cognitive deficits .......................................... 15

5.8 Interactions with genetics and

identification of susceptible subpopulations. 15

5.9 World Health Organization research

recommendations.......................................... 16

6 Ethical and Policy Considerations................. 16

6.1 Ethical considerations............................. 16

6.2 Policy considerations.............................. 16

7 Conclusions ................................................... 16

8 Resources: Children and Environmental Agents

....................................................................... 18

9 Glossary of Terms and Term Usage Specific to

This Statement.............................................. 19

10 Acknowledgments....................................... 23

11 References ................................................... 24