EPA Reverses Itself on Fluoride

[Hum]

In a surprising reversal, last month EPA?s announced that it intends to lower the maximum amount of fluoride in drinking water because of growing evidence supporting the chemical?s possible deleterious effects to children?s health.

In 2006, the National Academy of Sciences report that found dental fluorosis ? caused by too much fluoride ? capable of putting children at risk of developing other dental problems including the breakdown of tooth enamel, discoloration and pitting.

January?s EPA recommendation reversal was made following a revised risk assessment study that found 2 out of 5 adolescents had tooth streaking or spottiness and some pitting as a result of excessive fluoride. In addition, other studies have found excessive ingestion of fluoride capable of increasing the risk of brittle bones leading to fractures and debilitating bone abnormalities.

There have always been fluoride critics who questioned the chemical?s safety and challenged the decision to use fluoride in municipal drinking water

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[Jason S. Global Moderator]

this has been well known for years. Fluoride in our water supply is not healthy. Unfortunately the US is WAY behind the curve.

[threetonesun]

Fluoride in the water robs us of our essence. :laugh:

[Hum]

^ Yes -- I noticed that in the act of making love. :laugh:

[Raa]

Did anyone else notice the date of the article? From February 2011?

[compl3x]

this has been well known for years. Fluoride in our water supply is not healthy. Unfortunately the US is WAY behind the curve.

We have fluoride in the water here in Australia, and there is no talk of removing it.

[Growled Member]

After they've nearly killed everyone they decide it's bad.

[DocM]

To be honest about it, there is little justification for the widespread use of fluoride in water now that it can be directly applied by dental clinics. Targeted is better than shotgun.

[Osiris]

Whilst there are other methods available to individuals to flouride their teeth it remains one of the best and most widespread public health initiatives of the modern world. Regular and chronic dental problems are a drain on any economy and the individual.

Whilst I don't doubt the streaking side side effect, the public good of fluoridisation simply outweighs such minor adverse affects. Australia reviewed its policy on this in 2007 and found no further evidence to suggest the benefits vs risks had changed - not to say that new evidence couldn't come to light but one study does not a fact make.

[compl3x]

To be honest about it, there is little justification for the widespread use of fluoride in water now that it can be directly applied by dental clinics. Targeted is better than shotgun.

My understanding was small amounts of fluoride over a long period of time is much better than one-off treatments. It's also true a lot of people can't afford dental treatment as often as they need it so this method is much more practical. It saves much more money in the long run by avoiding dental problems, which we now know can cause all type of other health problems. Cardiovascular disease is linked to poor dental hygiene, for example.

I'd say that is a pretty good justification for adding fluoride to the water.

[Hum]

Many believe that in the original study, Calcium was the beneficial mineral -- and of course, teeth are largely calcium. ;)

[ahhell]

"In 2006, the National Academy of Sciences report that found dental fluorosis ? caused by too much fluoride"

The key there is TOO much is bad.

[Growled Member]

^ And in our area they apply way too much. The water reeks of it.

[Charisma Veteran]

The thing is, ingesting fluoride doesn't provide much benefit at all--more likely to have the negative effects. It's only helpful when applied topically. I have done research on the topic myself... I always chuckle when I see these stories come out, people who bother to do some unbiased research instead of just believing whatever the government/etc wants them to think have known the truth for years.

[Evolution]

The thing is, ingesting fluoride doesn't provide much benefit at all--more likely to have the negative effects. It's only helpful when applied topically. I have done research on the topic myself... I always chuckle when I see these stories come out, people who bother to do some unbiased research instead of just believing whatever the government/etc wants them to think have known the truth for years.

There is plenty of evidence that fluoride in the water has helped the oral health of communities...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=water+fluoridation... at least in the past. However, such cases are probably the result of a lack of availability of toothpaste.

[Charisma Veteran]

There is plenty of evidence that fluoride in the water has helped the oral health of communities...http://www.ncbi.nlm....er+fluoridation... at least in the past. However, such cases are probably the result of a lack of availability of toothpaste.

Yeah, way more the latter to be honest. Now that toothpaste and oral hygiene, regular brushing, etc has become the norm, that's way more responsible.

See #12 on this list: http://www.fluoridealert.org/50-reasons.htm for a good chart on that.

[simplezz]

This just in - dumping large amounts of industrial waste into the water supply is bad for your health..

[Tuishimi]

^ And in our area they apply way too much. The water reeks of it.

What does fluoride smell like? All I can smell in the city water is chlorine.

[Growled Member]

^ It has a pungent order.