Does the total intake of fluoride from air, water and food pose significant health risks?

Does the total intake of fluoride from air, water and food pose significant health risks?

Opposition's Response

Yes. 

The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), in their December 1995 and July 1996 issues (in an effort to slow down the ever-increasing rise in dental fluorosis, the visible display of fluoride poisoning) advise dentists to warn parents of fluoride overdose from fluoride-based pesticide residue and fluoridated water found in fruit juices and drinks made from concentrates. Meanwhile, the ADA claims that children aren't getting enough. Juice concentrates are a real problem. Fluoride is not like chlorine; you can't boil it away. The more you boil fluoride, the more concentrated and poisonous it becomes. (See 15-1: "Fluoride Levels and Fluoride Contamination of Fruit Juices," from The Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, Vol. 16, #1/1991).

Independent laboratory analyses now show that regularly consumed products found in every neighborhood store, such as Coca-Cola Classic™, Minute Maid™ Orange Juice, and Lucerne™ 2% Milk, contain equal to or more than the amount of fluoride they intend to put in our water; with Froot Loops™, Gerber's™ baby juices, and almost every product with white grape juice , containing two, three, and up to six times the concentration due to fluoride pesticide residue and/or processing with fluoridated water. (See 15-2: "Analytical Testing Report," by Expert Chemical Analysis, Inc., 6/17/98).

In 1995, both the American Dental Association (ADA) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), while segments of these same trade associations simultaneously continued to lobby for fluoridation, created new policy recommendations for fluoride drops and tablets, which are intended to be the substitute for fluoridated water in non-fluoridated communities. The new schedules indicate that mass medication, at the claimed optimal level of fluoridation, grossly exceeds the dosage that a qualified professional could prescribe, even after the professionals individual evaluation of a child for growth and development, weight, total exposure to fluoride from all sources, and individual susceptibility.

According to these new recommendations, infants are to receive no additional fluoride, no matter what the fluoride level in the water; and it is not until a child reaches the age of 6 that the new prescription recommendations ever reach the excessive dosage that is thrust upon a child that consumes fluoridated tap water. (See 15-3: "Policy Statement" from Pediatrics, May 1998, Vol. 95, Number 5).

The Natick Fluoridation Study Committee found that if they fluoridated the water, their children would be consuming about 2 to 3.5 times as much fluoride as was recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. (See 15-4: "Recommended Dosage of Fluoride," 9/27/97).

U.S. Public Health Service documents show that even in 1991, non fluoridated communities were already receiving more than the targeted fluoride dosage of 1 mg per day. Fluoridated communities were receiving up to 6 times the optimal goal. (See 15-5: "Review of Fluoride Benefits and Risks," 1991, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services).

According to the study published in the July/August Pediatric Dentistry, "... children with educated parents who typically have better oral hygiene practices are at risk for fluorosis ... Fluorosis was found in 69 % of children from high socioeconomic-status families whose parents had college degrees and lived in fluoridated communities." (See 15-6: "Early Fluoride Exposure," from American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, July 31, 1998).

The famous Washington Post newspaper reported research at the Georgia School of Dentistry at the University of Connecticut showing children should only brush their teeth once a day to avoid fluoride overexposure. Doesn't the ADA say to brush after every meal?

"Not only does the 1 mg/day claimed necessary for teeth not require water fluoridation, but this is why the only oral epidemic is fluorosis in fluoridated areas of the US; and is why the Academy of General Dentistry representing 35,000 dentists has warned parents to limit the amount of juice their children drink — too much fluoride!" (See 15-8).

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ADA's Fluoridation Facts Short Answer

The total intake of fluoride from air, water and food in an optimally fluoridated community in the United States does not pose significant health risks.

ADA's Fluoridation Facts Long Answer

Can be found here: http://www.fluoridedebate.com/question15.html