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600+ Profs Urge End to Fluoridation
In a statement released August 9, 2007, over 600 dentists, physicians, scientists and environmentalists urge Congress to stop water fluoridation until Congressional hearings are conducted. They cite new scientific evidence that fluoridation, long promoted to fight tooth decay, is ineffective and has serious health risks. (http://www.fluorideaction.org/statement.august.2007.html)Signers include a Nobel Prize winner, three members of the prestigious 2006 National Research Council (NRC) panel that reported on fluoride’s toxicology, two officers in the Union representing professionals at EPA headquarters, the President of the International Society of Doctors for the Environment, and hundreds of medical, dental, academic, scientific and environmental professionals, worldwide.
Signer Dr. Arvid Carlsson, winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize for Medicine, says, “Fluoridation is against all principles of modern pharmacology. It's really obsolete.”
An Online Action Petition to Congress in support of the Professionals' Statement is available on FAN's web site, www.fluorideaction.org.
“The NRC report dramatically changed scientific understanding of fluoride's health risks," says Connett. "Government officials who continue to promote fluoridation must testify under oath as to why they are ignoring the powerful evidence of harm in the NRC report,” he added.
An Assistant NY State Attorney General calls the report “the most up-to-date expert authority on the health effects of fluoride exposure.”
The Professionals’ Statement also references:
-- The new American Dental Association policy recommending infant formula NOT be prepared with fluoridated water.
-- The CDC’s concession that the predominant benefit of fluoride is topical not systemic.
-- CDC data showing that dental fluorosis, caused by fluoride over-exposure, now impacts one third of American children.
-- Major research indicating little difference in decay rates between fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities.
-- A Harvard study indicating a possible link between fluoridation and bone cancer.
-- The silicofluoride chemicals used for fluoridation are contaminated industrial waste and have never been FDA- approved for human ingestion.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a DC watchdog, revealed that a Harvard professor concealed the fluoridation/bone cancer connection for three years. EWG President Ken Cook states, “It is time for the US to recognize that fluoridation has serious risks that far outweigh any minor benefits, and unlike many other environmental issues, it's as easy to end as turning off a valve at the water plant.”
Partially, as a result of this statement, at least one city, Cobleskill NY, stopped 54 years of water fluoridation. See: http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/2998.html
Many communities rejected or stopped fluoridation over the years. See: http://www.fluoridealert.org/communities.htm
Take Action to End Fluoridation. Sign the Online Petition to End Fluoridation and call for a Congressional Hearing
http://www.actionstudio.org/public/page_view_all.cfm?option=begin&pageid=8276
SOURCE: Fluoride Action Network http://www.FluorideAction.Net
New York -- July 2004 -- f Spokane Washington fluoridates its water supply, it would cost almost 2.5 million dollars upfront and $330,000 annually, according to a $25,000 "Spokane Fluoridation Feasibility Study." (1)
This is what Spokane government would require to fluoridate residents:
---The city would have to build at least six small storage facilities, each with a fire sprinkler system, housing a storage tank, a day tank to accurately measure fluoride dosage, metering pumps, and a residual fluoride analyzer (2).
--- at least two additional staff, one to assist with operations and the other to assist with maintenance of the fluoridation facilities.
---One pump station near the Spokane River would require an environmental permit. Other sites would require either special use permits or an amendment to an existing special use permit.
--- the fluoride facility operations would need storm water and spillage controls in the vicinity of each fluoride facility to prevent or minimize the potential for contamination to groundwater (aquifer) or to surface water in the event of a spill or leakage of fluoride products.
---monitoring well pump flow rates, measuring the amount of fluoride consumed, and daily inspection of equipment. Data will need to be recorded on daily basis.
---Fluorosilicic acid, a corrosive, would require special facility design considerations if more than 500 gallons were to be stored or used onsite. The elements required if liquid fluorosilicic acid is used:
... Bulk storage tank(s) (5,000 to 10,000 gallons)
... Day tank (approximately 500 gallons)
... Metering pumps, one for each well pump, with a spare metering pump at each facility
... Fluoride analyzer, one for each well pump
... Remote telemetry unit (RTU) with programmable logic controller (PLC)
... Fluorosilicic acid is a strong acid with a typical pH of approximately 1.2. Extreme care, including the use of rubber protective clothing and face shields, must be exercised when handling the chemical to avoid contact. The off-gas from tank storage is corrosive to glass and metal, and must be vented to the atmosphere.
... Sprinkler system - a single line, combined with a hose bib and safety shower, from water main is acceptable with backflow preventer inside building; fire department connection also required
... Alarming of leakage (float switch at floor level)
---considerable training will be necessary for both the operations and maintenance personnel necessary to work with the fluoridation equipment. Employees who regularly handle such chemicals must be properly trained and equipped with personal protective gear to prevent any accidental exposure.
References:
1) City of Spokane Fluoridation Feasibility Study, prepared for Brad Blagen, Director, City of Spokane Water Department by CH2MHILL costing $25,000 http://www.spokesmanreview.com/news/live/study_0723.pdf
2) http://www.spokesmanreview.com/top/story.asp?ID=17306
More information on Fluorosilicic acid http://www.fluorideaction.org/pesticides/fluosilicic.acid-page.htm
Dentists Are Not Fluoride Experts, Scientists Report
New York -- January 2003 -- Dentists unfamiliarity with current fluoride science is reported by several university researchers at major dental research meetings. While dentists and fluoride manufacturers flourish, tooth decay rates creep upward.(1-8)
Parents are directed towards dentists for fluoride advice, but over 26% of dentists responding to a University of Texas (UT) survey feel unqualified to assess a patient_s fluoride needs.(a) Only 2% of Houston public dental clinics used American Dental Association approved fluoride products and techniques(b) according to another UT survey.
"California Public Health Professionals display positive attitudes toward use of fluorides, but demonstrate a lack of knowledge," according to a University of California study (c).
More evidence that dentists don_t keep up with current fluoride research will be presented at the annual American Association of Dental Research meeting, March 12-15 2003, in San Antonio, Texas (d) Over, 55.% of dentists surveyed _perceived a greater role for systemic fluorides than topical fluorides in caries prevention,_ according to a UT study funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).(e) Actually, CDC fluoride recommendations say, _Fluoride works primarily after teeth have erupted._ (f) and ingested fluoride leads to disfiguring dental fluorosis, white spotted, yellow or brown permanently stained teeth.
_...it often take two decades before new knowledge is integrated into (dental) clinical practice.., according to the Forsyth Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry. (g)
"Most of what dentistry does is not supported by valid science we are told by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference on Tooth Decay(h),_ says lawyer Paul S. Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation (NYSCOF).
Even pro-fluoride dental researchers worry that the lack of evidence-based-dentistry practiced in the US will hurt their reputations. For example, Dentist Amid Ismail, Professor, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, in a report to the NIH panel wrote, "If the current weak trend of caries research in the United States continues, history will be harsh on all of us for our failure to use our knowledge and resources to reduce, if not eliminate, the burden of one of the world's most prevalent diseases." (i)
A chasm is growing between the practice of dentistry in the US and the oral health needs of the nation. According to Mertz and O_Neil in Health Affairs, _By many measures, the practice of dentistry has improved for the dentist over the past decade. Hours of work are down, and compensation is increasing. However, there is a growing disconnect between the dominant pattern of practice of the profession and the oral health needs of the nation._ (j )
_Scientists tell us that American children are over-fluoridated and should cut back on fluoride use; yet tooth decay rates in the US continue to climb and dentists continue to instigate fluoridation schemes in our cities and towns,_ says Beeber. _Fluoridating water supplies is a waste of money, endangers children_s health and is ineffective,_ he says. _And there is no evidence that switching to bottled water has increased cavities (k),_ says Beeber.
_Dentists lack of fluoride knowledge may actually cause rather than prevent cavities,(l)_
says Beeber.
_Cavities increase in people with severe fluoride overdose according to the dental textbook, _Dentistry, Dental Practice and the Community,_ by Burt and Eklund. But few practicing dentists seem to know this. Burt and Eklund explain that fluoride concentrations in drinking water, form a J-shaped curve. With increasing fluoride levels, cavity experience diminishes to a certain point and then starts to rise again. The true relationship between water fluoride levels and dental decay is the J-shaped curve, with the turning point in the J being something between 3 and 4 times the optimal level, they write. Studies show this level is already exceeded by many American children,_ according to Sally Stride, Suite 101 Fluoridation Editor.(m)
(1) _Are Cavity Rates Rising,_ Delta Dental
http://www.deltanj.com/kids_club/news_wisdom_1002.shtml#6
(2) NBC Arkansas News Report
http://www.arkansasnbc.com/weeklys/parenting/apr02/index.shtml
_Are the amount of cavities rising in children?_
(3) University of Rochester News Release _Dental cavities on the rise again; back to 'drill and fill'
http://fluoride.oralhealth.org/papers/2000/eurekaalert040800.htm
(4) _Rise in tooth decay may be tied to sugary pop, sports drinks and even bottled water,_ Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/healthscience/134458074_cavity21.html
(5) _Early Childhood Tooth Decay,_ by Stephen R. Branam, D.D.S
http://www.drbranam.com/pgeArticle_Early.htm
(6) _Special Report: Cincinnati's dental crisis,_
http://enquirer.com/editions/2002/10/06/loc_special_report.html
(7) The Wall Street Journal, _Health Journal: As kids' cavities rise, some dentists advocate using tooth sealants,_
Tara Parker-Pope, March 8, 2002
(8) _Dentists Show Fluoridation a Failure,_
http://www.healthsentinel.com/News/Flouride.htm
(a) Knowledge and Attitudes of Fluoride Prescribing Among Dentists in Houston, S.D. Turner, S. Narendran, H. Keene, J.T. Chan, University of Texas Dental Branch, Houston, Texas
http://iadr.confex.com/iadr/2001aadr/abstractimages/03H-270A.gif
(b)
Fluoride Use by Public Dental Clinics in the Houston Area, D.P. Warren and J.T. Chan (UT-Houston Dental Branch, Houston, Texas (presented t the 30th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the AADR (March 200l)
http://iadr.confex.com/iadr/2001aadr/abstractimages/03G-115A.gif
(c) Fluoride Use Guidelines: Dissemination to California Public Health
Professionals
S.J. SILVERSTEIN, UCSF School of Dentistry, USA, and J. KERNER, University of
California Berkeley, USA
http://iadr.confex.com/iadr/2002SanDiego/techprogram/abstract_9374.htm
(d) http://iadr.org/Meetings/2003/SanAntonio/main.htm
http://iadr.confex.com/iadr/2003SanAnton/
techprogram/2003SanAnton_Thursday.html
(e) Dentists' Opinions about Fluoride Supplements and Prescription Practices S.NARENDRAN, J.T. CHAN1, S.D. TURNER1, and H.J. KEENE2, 1 Dental Branch, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA, 2 University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA
http://iadr.confex.com/iadr/2003SanAnton/techprogram/abstract_25857.htm
(f) Recommendations for Using Fluoride to Prevent and Control Dental Caries in the United States
August 17, 2001
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5014a1.htm
(g) The Forsyth Institute
Evidence-Based Dentistry _FORSYTH TO HOLD FIRST COMPREHENSIVE U.S. EVIDENCE-BASED DENTISTRY CONFERENCE JAN 10-18, 2003._
http://www.massdental.org/prof/event.cfm?evnt_id=446
(h) http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof/_pgg9.php3
(I) http://www.lib.umich.edu/dentlib/nihcdc/abstracts/ismail.html
(j) http://www.healthaffairs.org/1130_abstract_c.php?ID=http://www.healthaffairs.org/Library/v21n5/s11.pdf
(k) http://www.nofluoride.com/UPI_bottled_water.htm
(l) http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/11749/80008
(m) http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/fluoridation
For more information, contact:
Paul S. Beeber
President & General Counsel
New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation
PO Box 263
Old Bethpage, NY 11804
nyscof@aol.com
Web site:
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
