Fluoride chemicals added to 70% of US waters supplies never were tested before for their brain effects. Recent research shows fluoride enters the brain and can lower IQ and cause other neurological defects.
Dr. Vyvyan Howard, a prominent fetal toxicologist said in a recent Canadian TV interview that current brain/fluoride research convinces him that we should stop water fluoridation.
Dr. Howard, President of the International Society of Doctors for the Environment and Senior Lecturer, Developmental Toxico-Pathology, University of Liverpool, England, made presentations at three Toronto Canada meetings of the International Society of Fluoride Research, Fluoride Action Network and the Citizens for a Safe Environment.
Studies done in several countries show that children’s IQ are likely to be lower in high natural water fluoride areas, said Howard. These studies are plausible because fluoride is known to affect the thyroid hormone which affects intelligence and fluoride is also a neurotoxicant, said Howard. Such studies have not been conducted in countries that artificially fluoridate the water such as the US, UK and Canada, but should be, he said.
Howard’s assessments came before publication of "Fluoride and Children’s Intelligence: A Meta-analysis" in Biological Trace Element Research by Tang et al concluding "A qualitative review of the studies found a consistent and strong association between the exposure to fluoride and low IQ." (e-published ahead of print 8/10/08)
This new brain research together with the NRC's evidence of fluoride's thyroid and bone damage and the CDC's recommendation against use of fluoridated water in infant formula as well as the National Kidney Foundation's withdrawal of their fluoridation support makes a strong case for ending this 60-year-old fluoridation experiment.
Fluoride, added to water supplies ostensibly to prevent tooth decay, is also in virtually all US non-organic foods and beverages from pesticide residues and processing with fluoridated water.
"There have now been over 40 animal studies which show that fluoride can damage the brain, and no less than 18 studies which show that fluoride lowers IQ in children, and only 2 that don't," says Paul Connett, PhD, Executive Director, Fluoride Action Network (FAN).
In 2006, the U.S. National Research Council’s (NRC) expert fluoride panel reviewed recent fluoride toxicology and concluded, "It’s apparent that fluorides have the ability to interfere with the functions of the brain."
Michael Connett, Project Director for the Fluoride Action Network co-authored a poster presentation at the International Association of Dental Research entitled, "Fluoride and its effect on human intelligence." which identified 20 ecological studies that purport an association between high fluoride exposure and decreased human intelligence.
"The weight of evidence that's on the table now says that, on a precautionary basis, we should stop this practice (fluoridation)," said Dr. Howard.
FAN is now working on getting an additional 7 Chinese studies published for the first time in English-language journals by the end of the year. These additional studies include two studies showing that fluoride can pass the placenta and damage the brain of the fetus, and 5 more studies finding a reduction in IQ among children exposed to excess fluoride.
"The Canadian Dental Association says there is no evidence to support the claims that fluoride in drinking water can lead to lower IQs," reported the Lethbridge Herald
Here’s the evidence: http://www.FluorideAlert.org/...
No child is, or ever was, fluoride deficient. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control tells us that 1/3 of U.S school children are fluoride-overdosed causing dental fluorosis - white spotted, yellow, brown and/or pitted teeth. It's time to stop fluoridation.
Short biography of Dr. Howard: http://www.science.ulster.ac.uk/...