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A groundbreaking government report has found a link between high fluoride levels in drinking water and lower IQs in children, adding fuel to a decades-long debate about the safety of this widespread public health measure.

Posted on: Monday, August 26th 2024 at 3:00 am |Written By: GreenMedInfo Research Group

Summary:

  • New U.S. government report links fluoride levels twice the recommended limit to lower IQ in children
  • Findings align with a substantial body of existing research on fluoride’s potential health risks
  • The report marks the first time a federal agency has acknowledged a possible connection between fluoride exposure and cognitive effects
  • Experts debate the implications for public health policy and water treatment practices

From Cavity Fighter to Controversial Compound

For decades, fluoride has been hailed as a dental health superhero, credited with dramatically reducing tooth decay across the United States. But a new government report is forcing us to ask: at what cost?

The National Toxicology Program, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has concluded that fluoride in drinking water at twice the recommended limit is linked with lower IQ in children.1 This marks the first time a federal agency has determined–“with moderate confidence”–that there’s a connection between higher levels of fluoride exposure and reduced cognitive function in kids.

While the report’s authors emphasize that more research is needed, particularly regarding lower fluoride levels, the findings are impossible to ignore. They align with a growing body of evidence suggesting that fluoride’s effects may extend far beyond our pearly whites.

A History of Health Concerns

The new report may be making waves, but it’s hardly the first study to raise red flags about fluoride. GreenMedInfo’s extensive database reveals a litany of potential health issues associated with fluoride exposure, including:

  • Neurotoxicity: Multiple studies have linked fluoride exposure to impaired cognitive development and lower IQ scores in children.2
  • Endocrine disruption: Research suggests fluoride may interfere with thyroid function and other hormonal processes.3
  • Skeletal and dental fluorosis: Excessive fluoride intake can lead to weakened bones and mottled tooth enamel.4
  • Reproductive issues: Some studies indicate fluoride exposure may negatively impact fertility and fetal development.5

Fluoride’s Complicated Legacy

The addition of fluoride to public water supplies, beginning in the 1940s, has long been touted as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) credits water fluoridation with reducing tooth decay by about 25% in children and adults.6 This official position has long been challenged by a wide range of consumer advocacy, citizen’s activist, and scientific groups who point out a growing body of evidence indicating it may have a wide range of adverse health effects that carry far more risk than benefit for the exposed populations. 100+ of these adverse effects can be found indexed here.

Dr. Ashley Malin, a University of Florida researcher who has studied fluoride’s effects, commented as follows: “I think this new report is crucial in our understanding” of the potential risks.7 The findings raise difficult questions about how to balance the known dental benefits of fluoride against emerging evidence of other health concerns.

“Tap” Dancing Around the Issue

The report’s focus on fluoride levels twice the recommended limit (1.5 mg/L vs. the current recommendation of 0.7 mg/L) might seem reassuring. However, it’s worth noting that about 1.9 million Americans live in areas with naturally occurring fluoride levels at or above this threshold.8

Moreover, the cumulative effects of fluoride exposure from multiple sources–including toothpaste, mouthwash, and certain foods–remain poorly understood. This “fluoride cocktail” we’re all sipping on a daily basis may be more potent than we realize.

A Cavity in Our Knowledge

While the new report is a significant step, it also highlights how much we still don’t know about fluoride’s long-term effects. The study didn’t reach conclusions about lower fluoride levels or potential impacts on adults. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: more research is desperately needed.

In the meantime, the findings raise important questions for policymakers, health officials, and the public:

  • Should fluoride levels in water supplies be further reduced?
  • Are there safer alternatives for promoting dental health?
  • How can we protect vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women and young children?

As we grapple with these questions, one thing is certain: the conversation about fluoride is far from over. This latest study may be just the catalyst we need to take a fresh, hard look at a practice we’ve long taken for granted.

A Glimpse of Change: Naples Takes Action

While the debate rages on in many communities, some are already taking decisive action based on the growing body of evidence. In February 2024, the city of Naples, Florida made history by voting to remove fluoride from its public water supply, marking a significant shift in local public health policy.9

This groundbreaking decision was influenced in large part by the testimony of Dr. Joel Bohemier and data from GreenMedInfo.com’s comprehensive research database. Dr. Bohemier presented compelling evidence to the Collier County Board of Commissioners, highlighting the potential risks associated with fluoride exposure that extend far beyond dental health.10

GreenMedInfo’s Role in Informed Decision-Making

Central to the Naples decision was the wealth of scientific research compiled in GreenMedInfo’s fluoride database. This resource, which aggregates peer-reviewed studies on natural health topics, showcases over 90 potential adverse health effects linked to fluoride exposure.11 By making this information readily accessible, GreenMedInfo played a crucial role in empowering local officials to make an informed decision based on the latest scientific evidence.

“It should be a personal choice whether to ingest fluoride or not,” stated Commissioner Dan Kowal, reflecting a growing emphasis on individual health freedom and informed consent in public health decisions.12

A Model for Future Change

The Naples case serves as a powerful example of how scientific research, when effectively communicated, can drive real-world policy changes. It demonstrates the potential for communities to reevaluate long-standing practices in light of new evidence and prioritize precautionary principles in public health decisions.

As other municipalities observe the outcomes of Naples’ decision, it may inspire similar reviews and debates across the country. This case underscores the importance of continued research, transparent communication of scientific findings, and the active involvement of informed citizens in shaping public health policies.

While the fluoride debate is far from settled, the actions taken in Naples offer hope that as our understanding of fluoride’s effects evolves, so too can our approaches to public health. It’s a reminder that change is possible when science, policy, and public engagement align.

References

  1. Mike Stobbe, “US government report says fluoride at twice the recommended limit is linked to lower IQ in kids,” AP News, August 22, 2024.
  2. GreenMedInfo, “Fluoride: Intelligence Quotient (IQ): Low/Impaired,” accessed August 22, 2024, https://www.greenmedinfo.com/disease/intelligence-quotient-iq-lowimpaired
  3. GreenMedInfo, “Fluoride: Thyroid Dysfunction,” accessed August 22, 2024, https://www.greenmedinfo.com/disease/thyroid-dysfunction
  4. GreenMedInfo, “Fluoride: Fluorosis,” accessed August 22, 2024, https://www.greenmedinfo.com/disease/fluorosis
  5. GreenMedInfo, “Fluoride: Infertility,” accessed August 22, 2024, https://www.greenmedinfo.com/disease/infertility
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Community Water Fluoridation,” accessed August 22, 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/index.html
  7. Mike Stobbe, “US government report says fluoride at twice the recommended limit is linked to lower IQ in kids,” AP News, August 22, 2024.
  8. Ibid.
  9. Chris Earl, “Commissioners Point to Health Freedom Ordinances, Cost Savings,” FOX4NEWS, February 13, 2024.
  10. Joel Bohemier, testimony at Collier County Board of Commissioners meeting, February 13, 2024.
  11. Sayer Ji, “The Irrefutable Toxicity of Fluoride — GreenMedInfo’s Database Shows 90+ Signals of Harm,” February 14, 2024.
  12. Dan Kowal, quoted in “Commissioners Point to Health Freedom Ordinances, Cost Savings,” FOX4NEWS, February 13, 2024.

The GMI Research Group (GMIRG) is dedicated to investigating the most important health and environmental issues of the day.  Special emphasis will be placed on environmental health.  Our focused and deep research will explore the many ways in which the present condition of the human body directly reflects the true state of the ambient environment.