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