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