The Fluoride In Our Drinking Water Controversy
Copyright 2006 Linda Symonds
For over 30 years, the controversy has raged about the
benefits or the hazards of human consumption of fluoride.
Despite numerous studies conducted by such organizations as
the World Health Organization (WHO) we seem to be no closer
to definitive answers to the question of whether fluoride
in our drinking water really does prevent tooth decay or if
it is, in fact, contributing to major health problems like
cancer and osteoporosis.
Fluoride occurs naturally in drinking water is some areas
of the world, including parts of the United Stated and
Canada. Many cities and towns also add fluoride to the
drinking water supply during water treatment. The addition
of fluoride to drinking water began in the 1940’s because
it was believed that fluoride prevents tooth decay. Since
that time, many studies have been conducted and there is
evidence that fluoride does play a part in preventing tooth
decay although it is believed that with the level of dental
hygiene practiced today in the developed world the addition
of fluoride to the water supply is unnecessary. On a more
sinister side, other studies have concluded the fluoride
may cause some very serious health problems. The following
quotation is taken from the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) website.
“Many communities add fluoride to their drinking water to
promote dental health. Each community makes its own
decision about whether or not to add fluoride. EPA has set
an enforceable drinking water standard for fluoride of 4
mg/L (some people who drink water containing fluoride in
excess of this level over many years could get bone disease,
including pain and tenderness of the bones). EPA has also
set a secondary fluoride standard of 2 mg/L to protect
against dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis, in its moderate
or severe forms, may result in a brown staining and/or
pitting of the permanent teeth. This problem occurs only in
developing teeth, before they erupt from the gums. Children
under nine should not drink water that has more than 2 mg/L
of fluoride.”
The EPA regulates the level of fluoride in drinking water
because it recognizes the potential health hazards of the
consumption of too much fluoride. Several countries in
Europe, such as Sweden, France and Ireland have gone even
further and sought medical advice from some very
prestigious institutes such as the Nobel Medical Institute
that recommends against fluoridation of drinking water and
these countries have stopped adding fluoride to their
drinking water.
A Harvard Study of boys drinking fluoridated vs.
unfluoridated water, released April 5, 2006 concluded that
boys who drink water with levels of fluoride considered
safe by federal (EPA) guidelines are five times more likely
to have a rare bone cancer than boys who drink
unfluoridated water.
Dr. Hardy Limeback B.SC., Ph.D. in Biochemistry, D.D.S.,
head of the Department of Preventive Dentistry for the
University of Toronto, and president of the Canadian
Association for Dental Research states that "Children under
three should never use fluoridated toothpaste," he
counseled. "Or drink fluoridated water. And baby formula
must never be made up using Toronto tap water. Never."
Even if we accept that the addition of fluoride at the EPA
regulated levels, 1.4 and 2.4 parts per million (ppm) is
save and will not increase our risks of developing bone or
other rare cancers, we also need to consider the fact that
many beverages we drink also contribute to the amount of
fluoride we consume on a daily basis. In a study of
fluoride levels in fruit juices, over 42% of the fruit
juices tested were found to contain fluoride at over 1 ppm
with some juices, particularly grape juices, as high a 3.0
ppm.
There seems to be as many scientists advocating fluoride as
there are issuing warnings about it. In the meantime, we
are left without clear answers about this long standing
controversy. For those concerned about the potential
health risks posed by fluoride consumption, or families
with small children, home water filters can be installed
that are very economical and very effective at removing
fluoride from drinking water.
Linda Symonds grew up on a small island in rural Canada
where she developed a love of the natural world. Linda
believes that the polluted and toxic environment that we
live in poses significant risks to our health and the
health of coming generations. For more information about
the plight of our water supply visit
http://www.thebestwaterfilters.com
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