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