Fluoride's Affect On Children's Cognitive Development

For years health experts have been unable to agree on whether fluoride in the drinking water may be toxic to the developing human brain. 

In a meta-analysis, researchers from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and China Medical University in Shenyang for the first time combined 27 studies and found strong indications that fluoride may adversely affect cognitive development in children. Based on the findings, the authors say that this risk should not be ignored, and that more research on fluoride’s impact on the developing brain is warranted.

Even though many of the studies on children in China differed in many ways or were incomplete, the authors consider the data compilation and joint analysis an important first step in evaluating the potential risk. “For the first time we have been able to do a comprehensive meta-analysis that has the potential for helping us plan better studies. We want to make sure that cognitive development is considered as a possible target for fluoride toxicity,” Choi said.

Choi and senior author Philippe Grandjean, adjunct professor of environmental health at HSPH, and their colleagues collated the epidemiological studies of children exposed to fluoride from drinking water. The China National Knowledge Infrastructure database also was included to locate studies published in Chinese journals. They then analyzed possible associations with IQ measures in more than 8,000 children of school age; all but one study suggested that high fluoride content in water may negatively affect cognitive development.

The average loss in IQ was reported as a standardized weighted mean difference of 0.45, which would be approximately equivalent to seven IQ points for commonly used IQ scores with a standard deviation of 15.*  Some studies suggested that even slightly increased fluoride exposure could be toxic to the brain. Thus, children in high-fluoride areas had significantly lower IQ scores than those who lived in low-fluoride areas. The children studied were up to 14 years of age, but the investigators speculate that any toxic effect on brain development may have happened earlier, and that the brain may not be fully capable of compensating for the toxicity.

“Fluoride seems to fit in with lead, mercury, and other poisons that cause chemical brain drain,” Grandjean says. “The effect of each toxicant may seem small, but the combined damage on a population scale can be serious, especially because the brain power of the next generation is crucial to all of us.”

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/

* This sentence was updated on September 5, 2012.

Some Fluoride Facts

Video Now Showing

You may find this video of interest... The Great Culling: Our Water
www.thegreatculling.net

Baths, Children, & Fluoridated Water

Most children love to take baths. They will play for quite sometime in a bath. All the while they're enjoying that lovely warm water, their skin is absorbing what they are sitting in. So, do you know if your child is sitting in a chemical soup or not? It's a good thing to find out.

Depending on whether a child has eaten, or if there is residual food in the stomach, about 20-50 percent of chemical contaminants are metabolized when foods or beverages are consumed. With dermal exposure and inhalation, however, virtually 100 percent of the contaminants are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

As one EPA scientist put it, "a shower cubicle can be considered an 'exposure chamber.' Exposure to volatile contaminants absorbed via the lung would be about double the same amount from drinking water. In the bath, underarms [axilla], scrotal and vaginal areas as well as the groin absorb far greater amounts than in the normal unwashed forearm test."

The percentages for absorption of parathion are as follows in bathing:

* scalp (32 percent)
* ear canal (46 percent)
* forehead (36 percent)
* plant of foot (13 percent)
* forearm (9 percent)
* palm (12 percent)
* scrotum (100 percent)

Studies done by Brown, Bishop and Rowan in the early 1980s showed that an average of 64 percent of the total dose of waterborne contaminants is absorbed through the skin. A study by British researchers at the Health and Safety Laboratory in Sheffield published in the February 19, 2000 issue of Human Experimental Toxicology suggests that toxicants such as fluorides can be stored in the skin and released over a period of time. The most popular fluoridation agent is fluorosilicic acid, a toxic by-product of phosphate fertilizer production.

On May 10, 1999, US Rep. Ken Calvert, who serves on the House Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, asked the EPA to answer a simple question: "What chronic toxicity test data are there on sodium fluorosilicate? On hydrofluorosilicic acid?"

A review of nearly 40,000 research papers listed on National Institutes of Health and other U.S. government Internet sites has failed to discover a single study addressing water fluoridation and dermal absorption.

On June 23,1999, EPA Assistant Administrator J. Charles Fox replied that the "EPA was not able to identify chronic studies for these chemicals."

On September 5, 2000, in response to an inquiry from the US House Committee on Science, EPA Assistant Administrator Charles Fox admitted "there are no water quality criteria for fluoride either for the protection of aquatic life or for the protection of human health."

The EPA earlier confirmed that water fluoridation puts "at risk" 52 million older Americans with calcium, magnesium and vitamin ~ deficiencies. People with cardiovascular and kidney disorders, also, may experience severe "dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis" from excessive exposure to fluorides.

The health threat from using fluorosilicates to fluoridate drinking water goes beyond bathing and drinking the treated water. The substances in the fluorosilicates do not magically vanish. All the pollution released from washing clothes and household items, evaporation from clothes dryers and dishwashers remains in the home. Water fluoridated with phosphate scrubber liquor becomes a vehicle to carry hazardous air pollutants directly into your home.

While this secondary contamination of children from fluoridated water is significant, it has never been investigated by the EPA or the US Public Health Service - although both agencies are aware that pollution scrubber liquor is being used to fluoridate municipal water supplies.

A study by British researchers at the Health and Safety Laboratory in Sheffield published in the February 19, 2000 issue of Human Experimental Toxicology suggests that toxicants such as fluorides can be stored in the skin and released over a period of time.

A review of nearly 40,000 research papers listed on National Institutes of Health and other U.S. government Internet sites has failed to discover a single study addressing water fluoridation and dermal absorption.

All dosage recommendations developed by EPA are based on ingestion alone. The EPA and Centers for Disease Control have never commissioned studies on the dermal absorption of fluoridated water and refuse to do so.

Know the water in which your precious children and grandchildren are bathing. If it is city water that has been mandated to have fluoride, then you may wish to consider a whole house purifying system that removes fluoride.

Content contains excerpts from the edited version of a report to the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on June 13, 2000, and,  Is your bathtub a toxic dump?

Windsor, Ontario Removes Fluoridation in "2013"

Many communities, over the last few years, stopped fluoridation in the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Recently, both Wichita, Kansas and Portland, Oregon rejected fluoridation 60% to 40%. Hamilton, NZ, councilors voted 7-1 to stop 50 years of fluoridation after councilors listened to several days of testimony from those for and against fluoridation. 

Windsor, Ontario, stopped 51 years of fluoridation! 
Sixteen regional councils have halted or rejected fluoridation in Queensland since mandatory fluoridation was dropped there in Nov. 2012. Meanwhile, New York City Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr. continues in his effort to halt fluoridation in NYC.
From Here

Is your community in the process of adding fluoride. Or, if they have it already, are they in the process of removing it? It is time to find out. 

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/08/08/5099424/israel-will-end-fluoridation-in.html#storylink=

Fluoride Removed from Many Water Supplies

As summarized by the New York Times:

 “For decades, the issue of fluoridated water remained on the fringes. . . . But as more places, like Fairbanks and parts of Canada, take up the issue in a more measured way, it is shifting away from conspiracy and toward the mainstream. The conclusion among these communities is that with fluoride now so widely available in toothpaste and mouthwash, there is less need to add it to water, which already has naturally occurring fluoride. Putting it in tap water, they say, is an imprecise way of distributing fluoride; how much fluoride a person gets depends on body weight and water consumed.”

Since 2010, over 70 communities have rejected the practice, including over 30 communities like Calgary, Alberta (pop. 1.3 million people) and Albuquerque, New Mexico (pop. 500,000) that have voted to end their longstanding fluoridation programs. Read More:  Communities that have removed Fluoride from their water supply.

Communities and Dates of Fluoride Removal in US and other countries:

Woodland, Washington state- 5,625, August 19, 2013
Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, 31,600, August 13, 2013
Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia- 23,000, August 13, 2013
Parkland, Washington, 35,800, June 2013
Hamilton, New Zealand- 145,600, June 5, 2013
Portland, Oregon 900,000 May 21, 2013
Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia- 61,700, May 14, 2013
Kenton, Tennessee- 1,525 May 8, 2013
Southwest Harbor, Maine- 2,000, May 7, 2013
Innisfail, Queensland, Australia- 1,075, April 23, 2013
Whitsunday Regional Council, Queensland, Australia- 37,000, April 9, 2013
Au Gres, Michigan- 890, March 2013
Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia- 9,573, March 2013
Tyrone, Pennsylvania- 5,500, March 2013
Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia- 2,800, February 25, 2013
Olivehurst, California- 14,000, February 22, 2013
Plumas Lake, California- (affected by decision of the Olivehurt Public Utility) 6,000 February 22, 2013
Smithville, Missouri- 8,500, February 22, 2013
Fraser Coast, Queensland, Australia- 102,000, February 21, 2013
Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia (Fraser Coast)- February 21, 2013
Maryborough, Queensland, Australia (Fraser Coast)- February 21, 2013
Tiaro, Queensland, Australia (Fraser Coast)- February 21, 2013
Burdekin, Queensland, Australia- 18,192, (2006 estimate) February 12, 2013
Ayr, Queensland, Australia (Burdekin area)- 9,000 February 12, 2013
Home Hill, Queensland, Australia (Burdekin area)- 3,050 February 12, 2013
Brandon, Queensland, Australia (Burdekin area)- 900 February 12, 2013
Bundaberg region, Queensland, Australia- 100,000, February 12, 2013
Bargara, Queensland, Australia (Bundaberg region)- 7,000 February 12, 2013
Childers, Queensland, Australia (Bundaberg region)- 1,700 February 12, 2013
Gin Gin, Queensland, Australia (Bundaberg region)- 2,000 February 12, 2013
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin- 2,126, February 2013
Balsam Lake, Wisconsin- 1,000, February 4, 2013
Cairns, Queensland, Australia- 153,000, January 29, 2013
Mossman, Queensland, Australia (Cairns area)- 1,740 January 29, 2013
Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia (Cairns area)- 3,200, January 29, 2013
Windsor, Ontario, Canada- 279,000, January 28, 2013
La Salle, Ontario, Canada (affected by Windsor vote)- 29,000, January 28, 2013
Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada (affected by Windsor vote)- 24,000, January 28, 2013
Doomadgee Aboriginal Council- 1,300, January 2013
Biggenden, Queensland, Australia (North Burnett area)- 690, January 2013
Eidsvold, Queensland, Australia (North Burnett area)- 630, January 2013
Gayndah, Queensland, Australia (North Burnett area)- 1,800, January 2013
Monto, Queensland, Australia (North Burnett area)- 1,300, January 2013
Mount Perry, Queensland, Australia (North Burnett area)- 500 January 2013
Mundubbera, Queensland, Australia (North Burnett area)- 1,050, January 2013
South Burnett, Queensland, Australia- 28,191, January 2013
Blackbutt, Queensland, Australia (South Burnett)- 1,055, January 2013
Nanango, Queensland, Australia (South Burnett)- 3,083, January 2013
Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia (South Burnett)- 7,620, January 2013
Wondai, Queensland, Australia (South Burnett)- 1,402, January 2013
Murgon, Queensland, Australia (South Burnett)- 2,131, January 2013
Pine Island, Florida- 13,000 water customers, December 11, 2012
Atherton, Queensland, Australia (Tablelands Regional Council)- 7,300, December 2012
Mareeba, Queensland, Australia (Tablelands Regional Council)- 10,200, December 2012
Kuranda, Queensland, Australia (Tablelands Regional Council)- 3,000, December 2012
Malanda, Queensland, Australia (Tablelands Regional Council)- 2,100, December 2012
Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada, 8,133, December 2012
Milton, Florida- 7,000, November 2012
Romulus, New York- 400, November 2012
Wichita, Kansas- 385,000, November 6, 2012
Harvard, Nebraska- 1,000, November 6, 2012
Crescent City, California- 14,000, November 6, 2012
Pulaski, New York- 2,367, October, 2012
Lake View, Iowa- 1,300, October 19, 2012
Cassadaga and Lily Dale, New York- 900, October 17, 2012
Waipukurau, New Zealand- 4,000, September 28, 2012
Orillia, Ontario, Canada- 40,000, July 17, 2012
Cunnamulla, Queensland, Australia- 1,217, August 9, 2012
Rosetown, Saskatchewan- 2,300, July 16, 2012
Santa Fe, New Mexico- 68,642, July 11, 2012
Argos, Indiana- 1,700, June 6, 2012
Walkerton, Indiana- 2,200, Spring 2012
North Liberty, Indiana- 2,000, Spring 2012
Lakeville, Indiana- 800, Spring 2012
Bassett, Nebraska- 600, May 15, 2011
Palisades, Colorado- 3,000, May 15, 2012
Pevely, Missouri- 6,000, May 1, 2012
Okotoks, Alberta, Canada- 25,000, April 23, 2012
Curacao- 140,000, April 22, 2012
Albequerque, New Mexico- 500,000, April 11, 2012
West Manheim, Pennsylvania- 8,000, April 8, 2012
Bourbon, Indiana- 2,000, March 20, 2012
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada- 20,000, February 7, 2012
Bolivar, Missouri- 11,000, February 7, 2012
Myerstown, Pennsylvania- 3,500, January 13, 2012
Hartland Township, Michigan - 14,800, December 20, 2011
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada - 140,000, December 19, 2011
Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada - 20,000, December 12, 2011
Grantsburg, Wisconsin- 1,300, December 12, 2011
Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada- 3,000, November 19, 2011
Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada- 11,200, November 19, 2011
Amesbury, Massachusetts- 16,500, November 8, 2011
Lakeshore, Ontario, Canada- 33,000, October 31, 2011
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee- 11,000, October 18, 2011
Churchill, Manitoba, Canada- 1,000, October 18, 2011
New Plymouth, New Zealand- 50,000, October 13, 2011
Palmer, Alaska- 8,400, October 11, 2011
Welsh, Louisiana- 3,500, October 4, 2011
Spencer, Indiana /BPP Water- 10,500, September 30, 2011
College Station, Texas- 100,000, September 22, 2011
Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada- 7,000, September 12, 2011
Hohenwald, Tennessee- 4,000, September 6, 2011
Pottstown, Pennsylvania- 15,500, August 16, 2011
Spring Hill, Tennessee- 30,000, August 15, 2011
Taber, Alberta, Canada- 6,500, July 20, 2011
Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada- 5,000, July 4, 2011
Taumarunui, New Zealand- 5,000, June 30, 2011
Fairbanks, Alaska- 80,000, June 6, 2011
Naples Village, New York- 1,070, May 18, 2011
Mount Clemens, Michigan- 17,300, May 16, 2011
Holmen, Wisconsin- 6,200, April 27, 2011
Lago Vista, Texas- 6,500, April 21, 2011
Mechanicsville, Iowa- 1,200, April 17, 2011
Marcellus, Michigan- 1,100, March 17, 2011
Independence, Virginia- 1,000, February 16, 2011
Calgary, Alberta, Canada- 1,300,000, February 8, 2011
Yellow Springs, Ohio- 3,200, February 7, 2011
Verchères, Québec, Canada- 5,240, February 7, 2011
Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania- 5,500, January 19, 2011
(First announced Feb 4, 2010) Sparta, North Carolina- 2,000, November 15, 2010
Tellico, Tennessee- 900, November 4, 2010
Athabasca, Alberta, Canada- 2,600, November 1, 2010
Waterloo, St. Jacobs and Elmira, Ontario, Canada- 103,000, October 25, 2010
O’Fallon, Missouri- 80,000, October 5, 2010
Red Bay, Alabama- 5,000, September 15, 2010
Napa, California- 78,000, August 17, 2010
Sandpoint, Idaho- 7,500, July 24, 2010
Kaikohe, New Zealand- 4,000, May 17, 2010
Kaitaia, New Zealand- 5,500, May 17, 2010
Crete, Nebraska- 7,000, May 11, 2010
Dakota City, Nebraska- 2,000, May 11, 2010
Franklin County, Nebraska- 3,500, May 11, 2010
Norfolk, Nebraska- 25,000, May 11, 2010
Wahoo, Nebraska- 4,500, May 11, 2010
Gatineau, Québec, Canada- 266,000, May 5, 2010

If this is a concern to you, find out what your city is doing.
Be Aware: Stay Alert.

Fluoride: Now Banned from the Water Supply in Israel!

On July 29, 2013 , the Supreme Court of Israel ruled that new regulations require Israel to stop adding fluoride chemicals into public water supplies in one year, reports the Fluoride Action Network (FAN).

Izun Hozer Association for Dissemination of Health Education and Yaacov Gurman petitioned Israel 's highest court, November 12, 2012, demanding that the Ministry of Health order the cessation of fluoridation because it presents health dangers and its benefits are no longer widely accepted.  A 1974 regulation mandated fluoridation throughout Israel. But in April 2013, the Minister of Health, Yael German, created a new regulation removing that mandate.

 "It must be known to you that fluoridation can cause harm to the health of the chronically ill," including "people who suffer from thyroid problems," German wrote in a letter addressed to doctors opposed to ending fluoridation. The court ruled that the new regulations will not only bring an end to mandatory fluoridation in Israel in 2014 but will also put an end to any fluoridation -- mandatory or voluntary. See translation of the Court's ruling at: http://www.fluoridealert.org/uploads/israel_supreme_ct_july2013.pdf

Israel's decision to ban fluoridation follows a vote to preclude the practice in Portland, Ore., and Wichita, Kan. It was also recently overturned in Hamilton, the fourth most populous city in New Zealand. 

Read more Here.

Paul Connett, PhD, FAN Executive Director, says, "Zealous fluoridation promoters try to convince the American public that 'everyone drinks fluoridated water.' But the opposite is true. An overwhelming number of countries do not fluoridate, including 97% of the European population. In fact, over half the people in the world drinking fluoridated water live in the US. We are the odd ones out."

"Fluoridation is an outdated, unscientific, failed public health blunder," says Connett. "What I find remarkable here is that Health Minister German has been able to escape the unscientific belief system on fluoridation that traps so many public health bureaucracies in fluoridated countries."