Name: Anonymous 2008-10-25 23:46
Fluoride is not an essential nutrient. It has never received "FDA Approval" (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). It is listed as an "unapproved new drug" by the FDA, and as a "contaminant" by the EPA. Although calcium fluoride can occur naturally, the type of fluoride (sodium) added to municipal water is a hazardous waste product of the aluminum industry, phosphate fertilizer industry, and other industries.
The more serious health concern is that dental fluorosis is not the only harmful health effect that results from overexposure to fluoride. Fluoride has been linked in government and scientific reports to a wide range of harmful health effects, including: bone and tooth decay (including dental and skeletal fluorosis, bone pathology, arthritis, and osteoporosis) Alzheimer's, memory loss and other neurological impairment, kidney damage, cancer, genetic damage, and gastrointestinal problems. In addition, fluoride has been found to leach lead from old water pipes and soldering material, which has resulted in increased lead levels in people.
There is no margin of safety for fluoride exposure. In the 1940's, when fluoridation began, the "optimal" level of exposure for dental benefit was determined to be 1 milligram/day for an adult male. Even at that level, 10% of the population were expected to contract dental fluorosis. It was estimated that adult males drank 1 liter of water per day. At that time, other sources of fluoride were scarce.
Americans, even in unfluoridated communities, are suffering serious harmful health effects from overexposure to fluoride due to its widespread and uncontrolled use. Fluoride can be found in any food or beverage made with fluoridated municipal water. Less than 2% of Western Europe drink fluoridated water compared to over 60% of the United States population.
The more serious health concern is that dental fluorosis is not the only harmful health effect that results from overexposure to fluoride. Fluoride has been linked in government and scientific reports to a wide range of harmful health effects, including: bone and tooth decay (including dental and skeletal fluorosis, bone pathology, arthritis, and osteoporosis) Alzheimer's, memory loss and other neurological impairment, kidney damage, cancer, genetic damage, and gastrointestinal problems. In addition, fluoride has been found to leach lead from old water pipes and soldering material, which has resulted in increased lead levels in people.
There is no margin of safety for fluoride exposure. In the 1940's, when fluoridation began, the "optimal" level of exposure for dental benefit was determined to be 1 milligram/day for an adult male. Even at that level, 10% of the population were expected to contract dental fluorosis. It was estimated that adult males drank 1 liter of water per day. At that time, other sources of fluoride were scarce.
Americans, even in unfluoridated communities, are suffering serious harmful health effects from overexposure to fluoride due to its widespread and uncontrolled use. Fluoride can be found in any food or beverage made with fluoridated municipal water. Less than 2% of Western Europe drink fluoridated water compared to over 60% of the United States population.