Evidence shows no benefit from fluoridated water
Since the 1940’s advocates of water fluoridation, including the American Dental Association have promoted water fluoridation as a way of protecting children from cavities. Critics of fluoridation reject that claim, and argue that fluoride is poisonous, and should not be added to water.
A growing body of research appears to be proving fluoridation skeptics right, and a growing list of doctors, dentists, EPA scientists, and other professionals are calling on the EPA to end water fluoridation. A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Toxicology reports that fluoride boosts the absorption of lead in bones, teeth, and blood. Earlier studies show that children living in communities with fluoridated water have higher levels of lead in their blood than children living in non-fluoridated communities.
Worse yet is that many scientists now question the value of fluoridation. Recent studies reveal that fluoride is only effective when applied topically (e.g. brushing your teeth. Consuming fluoride in drinking water provides no benefits at all.
Most telling are statistics that were published in the July, 2009 edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association (ADA) which show that children’s cavity rates are not reduced by fluoridation, but dental fluorosis (spotting damage on teeth) does increase as fluoride levels in water increase. Increased levels of fluoride have also been detected in children suffering from osteosarcoma (a rare form of bone cancer). The National Kidney Foundation recently reversed its support of water fluoridation, instead it offers this caution:” Individuals with CKD [Chronic Kidney Disease] should be notified of the potential risk of fluoride exposure.”
Efforts to End Fluoridation
Dr. J. William Hirzy, senior vice president of EPA headquarters union, points to studies and concerns about the effects of fluoride in public drinking water. He along with 11 other scientists has called for a moratorium on the practice of adding fluoride to water. Hirzy and the other scientists cite concerns are about the carcinogenic, genotoxic and neurotoxic effects of fluoride as a reason to stop fluoridation now. With all the damning evidence against fluoridation piling up, water districts around the country are opting to end fluoridation. Communities such as Crowley Louisiana and Sandpoint Iowa have already ended fluoridation in their communities. A state legislator in Tennessee, Dr. Joey Hensley has urged all water districts in Tennessee end fluoridation, and 30 districts have already elected to do so.
Protection for Pennies a Day
There is little doubt left among most health experts that water fluoridation should be ended. The EPA has even stated that a review of “safe” levels of fluoride in drinking water is needed. Unfortunately, the ‘hack and slash’ budget efforts of Congressional representatives who are opposed to clean air and water legislation have imperiled EPA efforts to conduct the review, leaving Americans at risk for continued exposure to toxic fluoride.
Thankfully, effective filtration systems exist that can stop poisonous fluoride in its tracks. LIFE’s whole home filtration systems effectively stop the majority of poisonous toxins like fluoride from entering the home. Using a technology originally developed by NASA, LIFE’s Charged Modified Composite Blend® filter media attracts pollutants like fluoride and bind to them, effectively trapping them in the filter. Conventional filters do not work as well, requiring many layers of different kinds of filter media in order to filter the many kinds of toxins found in tap water. A filter with many layers in it will do little more than mask the taste of toxins, while still leaving much of the actual pollutants in water.
Find out how much fluoride is being added to your water, order our free local water quality report for the area you live in today.