Fluoride returns to the City of Del Rio's water system
By Alejandra Valdez
Special to LIVE!
Del Rio’s drinking water supply will contain fluoride after all. City council flip-flopped on the issue Tuesday night (Oct. 24), voting 5-1 to reverse last month’s unanimous vote that had brought an immediate halt to fluoridation. In a room packed with citizens, physicians and dentists passionate about the matter, the return to fluoridation came after more than two hours of presentations, questions, discussions and heatedly expressed opinions. “I came here sort of with my mind made up. But after hearing all of this, I’m still not sure how to vote, so I think the best thing to do is to take the advice of professionals in the room who do know,” said Wrob to the delight of the majority of the people present. After a total of four presentations, two for and two against fluoridation, council voted to correct what Mayor Efrain Valdez considered to be the fault of previous city councils that did not seek benefit of technical experts. “This should have happened in the ‘80s and ‘90s. If it had happened when they first put this in the water, we would not have been here tonight… If they had gone through all of the research, we would not be here today,” said Valdez. Del Rio native Dr. Howard (Mister) Hunt, a pediatric dentist who practices in a mobile unit that services Apache children in Arizona, opened the fluoridation issue with a moving presentation about the needs of the children. “I’m here for the children of this community because I love this community,” said Hunt, who was as emotionally connected to the issue as he was professionally. Hunt spoke boldly and passionately stating that the city’s decision to cease fluoridation in the drinking water “can and will be harmful to the children, especially.” “I saw atrocities of decay - I saw it,” asserted Hunt. A cavity is an infection, he said, explaining that Coke, candy and limes among other things, soften the enamel of teeth, while hardening occurs with saliva and recirculating fluoride. Illustrating similarities in cavities and potholes, Hunt explained, “When we get potholes (in our streets) we go and fill it, but we cannot reverse it.” “And there is a large portion of clients who only go when they are in pain. Caries (tooth decay) is a disease that is preventable,” said Hunt, who broke down as he showed the projected images of two children he had treated. Both children had one side of their faces grotesquely distorted, as a result of tooth decay. “This is what can and will happen,” said Hunt, as he explained the degree of work the children had required. “Fluoride prevents all of this from happening- it is a re-hardening of the tooth. Prevention is priceless,” finished Hunt, passing the podium to local dentist Larry Lindenschmidt, who has practiced dentistry in Del Rio since 1975. Lindenschmidt simply reminded council that a natural fluoride already exists in our San Felipe Springs drinking water, but in an insufficient amount to provide protection. Lindenschmidt also stated that regulating agencies keep a watchful eye on fluoride manufacturers “to make sure the amount (of fluoride) we get is proper,” said Lindenschmidt. Proponents of fluoridation then addressed the validity of case studies published on the Internet, versus peer-reviewed literature published in scientific journals, and endorsed by federal and state health agencies, as well as professional organizations. Dr. Sandra Guerra-Cantu, director, Region 8, Texas Department of State Health Services, boldly addressed scare tactics used by fluoride opponents. “If there was something found to be hazardous to your health, the health department would alert you to the issue and let you know what to do to protect yourself from harm,” said Guerra-Cantu, adding that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) describe fluoridation of water as one the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. “Why add fluoride to our water? To provide protection!” said Guerra- Cantu. “It is an intervention used to promote healthy living for one’s loved ones, much in the manner of hand washing, using seatbelts, getting vaccines, locking doors and supporting law enforcement,” Guerra- Cantu explained. Opponents to fluoridation, led by Ron Burton did not deny positive attributes to fluoride use, claiming that his group only worried about the ingestion of fluoride, versus using the product in a manner that would only have contact with teeth and only in proper levels. Robert J. Dinoir addressed council. He voiced concerns regarding water filtration systems not being able to remove fluoridation from water, as well as concerns derived from studies claiming a correlation between bone cancer in young boys, kidney disease, and fluoridated water. At that, Dinoir asked city council to “safely wait until the medical and scientific community consign fluoride to the long list of medicines, procedures and substances they once thought were beneficial, but are now known to be ‘hazardous to your health.’” Expansive and more passionate debate ensued, even straying from the primary subject to a discussion about local dentists who are willing to see Medicaid patients and are poorly reimbursed for the effort. There were angry demands from Del Rio dentist Dr. Louis Cadena for Medicaid reform or a Medicaid dental clinic. After much deliberation, the city council finally voted 5-1 in favor of returning to fluoridating the local drinking water supply. Voting in favor of the measure were city council members Lisa Cadena-Craig, Claudio Sotelo, Mike Wrob, Mayor Valdez, and councilwoman Tina Martinez. Pat Cole opposed the measure solely, claiming not everyone in the local dental community was in favor of fluoridation. Councilman Rudy Chapa was not present.
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We just had a prescription
We just had a prescription for fluoride drops filled for our 9 month old son. On the prescription label it said to avoid dairy products when giving this medication - why?
As fluoride is the primary
As fluoride is the primary component of most pesticides. Maybe that residue remains on the feed which then in turn makes it into your milk. Increasing the dosage of fluoride that your child would receive.
Go to the Weston A Price Foundations web site and review the material that Dr Price learned as a dentist trying to find out why children in developing countries had better looking teeth than those in the US at the time (the 30s).
Unfortunately, in science correlation does not mean causation. In many of the studies that supported the fluoridation of water, they compared, for example Canyon City, CO to Cherry Creek, CO, a poor town vs a very well off town in supporting the argument. Maybe the socio-economic factors were a larger factor in the reduction in carries.
No Fluoride for Infants, say
No Fluoride for Infants, say American Dental Association
New York – November 13, 2006 – To prevent tooth damage, the American Dental Association (ADA) warned its members that fluoridated water should not be mixed into concentrated formula or foods intended for babies one year and younger, in a November 9th ADA e-mail alert.(1)
“But who will alert parents,” asks lawyer Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF).
Two-thirds of U.S. public water suppliers add fluoride chemicals, based on a disproved theory that fluoride ingestion prevents cavities. Bottled water with added fluoride is now sold with specific instructions to mix into infant formula.(2)
The ADA reports, “…infants could receive a greater than optimal amount of fluoride through liquid concentrate or powdered baby formula that has been mixed with water containing fluoride during a time that their developing teeth may be susceptible to enamel fluorosis.”(3) The ADA recommends using fluoride-free water.
Enamel or dental fluorosis is white spotting, yellow, brown and/or pitted permanent teeth. Pictures: http://www.fluoridation.com/teeth.htm
NYSCOF news releases in 2000 and 2004 (4,5) cited studies linking fluorosis to infant foods mixed with fluoridated water. Scientific evidence here: http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/infant/
Some scientists also tried in vain to get the word out sooner as described in “Suppression by Medical Journals of a Warning about Overdosing Formula-Fed Infants with Fluoride,” published in 1997 in the Journal Accountability in Research.(10)
It took until 2006 for the ADA’s alert, following the Food and Drug Administration’s October disapproval of fluoridated bottled water marketed to babies,(6) and after the recent National Research Council’s (NRC) fluoride report indicating babies are fluoride overdosed from “optimally” fluoridated water supplies.(7)
“The ADA claims the NRC report didn’t question the safety of fluoridation(8) but it did, as the ADA now admits,” says Beeber.
“The NRC also revealed fluoridation’s adverse effects to the thyroid gland, diabetics, kidney patients, high water drinkers and others,” says Beeber.
Now, the Centers for Disease Control reports that modern science shows that fluoride absorbs into enamel topically.(9) However, adverse effects occur upon ingestion. Further, the CDC admits enamel fluoride concentration is not inversely related to cavities.
The Environmental Protection Agency is required to consider the most vulnerable populations when setting allowable water fluoride levels. To protect babies, allowable water fluoride levels must be near zero.
The Environmental Working Group analyzed government data in March 2006 and found that babies are over-exposed to fluoride in most major U.S. cities.(11)
“This should end water fluoridation,” says Beeber. “Fluoridation is a failed concept that must be abandoned before more Americans are harmed,” says Beeber.
SOURCE: NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc
References:
1) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/epubs/egram/egram_061109.pdf
2) http://www.nurserywater.com/home.html
3) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/fluoride_infants.asp
4) http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof/_pgg10.php3
5) http://tinyurl.com/y8czsd
6) http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/flfluoro.html
7) http://www.nap.edu/openbook/030910128X/html/44.html
8) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/fluoride_report_response.pdf
9) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5014a1.htm
10) http://www.sustainabilitycentre.com.au/FormulaFedBabies.pdf
11) http://ewg.org/issues/fluoride/20060322/index.php
I caution the public to be
I caution the public to be careful where you get your news and information. Many websites are opinionated which are usually biased, nonobjective, not scientifically oriented/based and very misleading.
The statement regarding fluoride and infant formulas released by the ADA is simply a warning against the increased risk of fluorosis that might occur in infants if powdered or liquid concentrated formulas are mixed with optimally fluoridated water. This can occur because many formulas that are not premixed already contain fluoride. The ADA is not stating that fluoride is dangerous to infants or that infants cannot consume fluoride; they are simply saying that mixing fluoridated formulas with fluoridated water might lead to flourosis. Infants, of course, should be breast fed; however if the mother cannot breast feed, then formula is the only choice for proper nutrition. I suggest you please consult your physician or dentist for more information on fluoridated infant formulas.
This ADA statement proves that the ADA and other reputable institutions are continuing to research the topic of fluoride and water fluoridation, and that they are not deterred from sharing their findings with the public. If evidence is ever found that shows any harmful effects of water fluoridation, the ADA and these institutions will be the first to advise the public. Below is information that the ADA sent to dental and health providers on the fluoride issue which can also be found on their website. Likewise, more information may be found on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website.
Sincerely,
Dr. Howard H. Hunt, pediatric dentist
Ps Thank you Lee.
ADA Positions & Statements
Interim Guidance on Fluoride Intake for Infants and Young Children
Recent studies cited in the report of the National Research Council (NRC), “Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards,” have raised the possibility that infants could receive a greater than optimal amount of fluoride through liquid concentrate or powdered baby formula that has been mixed with water containing fluoride during a time that their developing teeth may be susceptible to enamel fluorosis.
The appropriate amount of fluoride is essential to prevent tooth decay. But fluoride intake above optimal amounts can create a risk for enamel fluorosis in teeth during their development before eruption through the gums.
Enamel fluorosis is not a disease but rather affects the way that teeth look. Most cases of fluorosis result in faint white lines or streaks on tooth enamel that are not readily apparent to the affected individual or the casual observer.
While more research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made on fluoride intake by bottle-fed infants, the American Dental Association (ADA) issues this interim guidance because we know that parents and other caregivers are understandably cautious about what is best for their children.
ADA Interim Guidance: Infant Formula
The ADA offers these recommendations so parents, caregivers and health care professionals who are concerned have some simple and effective ways to reduce fluoride intake from reconstituted infant formula.
Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the most complete form of nutrition for infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends human milk for all infants (except for the few for whom breastfeeding is determined to be harmful).
For infants who get most of their nutrition from formula during the first 12 months, ready-to-feed formula is preferred to help ensure that infants do not exceed the optimal amount of fluoride intake.
If liquid concentrate or powdered infant formula is the primary source of nutrition, it can be mixed with water that is fluoride free or contains low levels of fluoride to reduce the risk of fluorosis. Examples are water that is labeled purified, demineralized, deionized, distilled or reverse osmosis filtered water. Many grocery stores sell these types of drinking water for less than $1 per gallon.
The occasional use of water containing optimal levels of fluoride should not appreciably increase a child’s risk for fluorosis.
Parents and caregivers should consult with their pediatrician, family physician or dentist on the most appropriate water to use in their area to reconstitute infant formula. Ask your pediatrician or physician whether or not water used in infant formula should first be sterilized.
ADA Guidance: Other Sources of Fluoride for Young Children
The ADA offers this additional guidance on other sources of fluoride for young children, each of which is beneficial under the circumstances described below:
Fluoride Toothpaste
Parents and caregivers should ensure that young children use an appropriate size toothbrush with a small brushing surface and only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste at each brushing. Young children should always be supervised while brushing and taught to spit out rather than swallow toothpaste. Many children under age six have not fully developed their swallowing reflex and may be more likely to inadvertently swallow fluoride toothpaste. Unless advised to do so by a dentist or other health professional, parents should not use fluoride toothpaste for children less than two years of age.
Fluoride Mouthrinse
Fluoride mouthrinses have been shown to help prevent tooth decay for both children and adults. However, the ADA does not recommend use of fluoride mouthrinses for children under six years of age, unless recommended by a dentist or other health professional. Children under age six may be more likely to inadvertently swallow fluoride mouthrinse.
Dietary Fluoride Supplements
Children should only receive dietary supplemental fluoride tablets or drops as prescribed by their physician or dentist based on the dietary fluoride supplement schedule approved by the ADA, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Supplements are not recommended for children under six months of age.
Naturally Occurring Fluoride in Water
The optimal fluoride level in drinking water is 0.7 – 1.2 parts per million, an amount which has been proven beneficial in reducing tooth decay. Naturally occurring fluoride may be below or above these levels in some areas. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires notification by the water supplier if the fluoride level exceeds 2 parts per million. People living in areas where naturally occurring fluoride levels in drinking water exceed 2 parts per million should consider an alternative water source or home water treatments to reduce the risk of fluorosis for young children.
ADA Supports Community Water Fluoridation
The ADA supports community water fluoridation as the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay. It is a powerful strategy to reduce disparities in tooth decay among different populations and is more cost-effective than other forms of fluoride treatments or applications. Fluoridation is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has listed community water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
As the leader of a science-based profession, the ADA continually reviews new information about fluoride's impact on health. As part of its ongoing assessment, the ADA will convene workshops with government and other professional organizations involved in this issue to determine the best way to evaluate the scientific literature on this topic and formulate more definitive recommendations on fluoride intake, including intake by infants and young children. The ADA also is pursuing other ways to address appropriate fluoride intake with medical, public health and other dental organizations.
November 8, 2006
The York (University) report
The York (University) report tabled in 2000 was a review of all data for and against fluoride. For data to be included in the review it had to meet strict criteria to weed out poor quality studies.
The reveiw found that on both sides of the debate, the "evidence" was often of poor quality. After considering the evidence that did meet QA requirements, the review cocncluded that there may be some small advantage in using fluoride but that the evidence was not clear. This report is obtainable . I read the report and took the trouble to acess the references and other refernces refered to in those refernces and had a Doctor of Chemistry review them. His conclusion was that fluoride does indeed prevent decay and even reverse the process BUT it can only work on clean teeth. Teeth with placque on the surface or food particles in gaps, will not allow the fluoride ion to react with the enamel. This is why there is considerable variation in claims regarding the benefits of fluoridation.
My feeling is that given the consumption of acidic soda drinks, there would be some benefit to using fluoride but given the dental habits of most people, I would not be expecting miracles. Furthermore, Fluoirde does react with calcium in bone and maybe with other biomolecules although I cannot say that this is widely shown to be harmful.
Be wary of Dentists and Doctors making passionate claims. They mean well but they are not scientists (in the pure sense) and they are prone to letting their emotions colour their interpretation of data.
"Do you realize that in
"Do you realize that in addition to fluoridating water, why, there are studies underway to fluoridate salt, flour, fruit juices, soup, sugar, milk, ice cream? Ice cream, Mandrake? Children's ice cream!...You know when fluoridation began?...1946. 1946, Mandrake. How does that coincide with your post-war Commie conspiracy, huh? It's incredibly obvious, isn't it? A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual, and certainly without any choice. That's the way your hard-core Commie works. I first became aware of it, Mandrake, during the physical act of love...Yes, a profound sense of fatigue, a feeling of emptiness followed. Luckily I-I was able to interpret these feelings correctly. Loss of essence. I can assure you it has not recurred, Mandrake. Women, er, women sense my power, and they seek the life essence. I do not avoid women, Mandrake...but I do deny them my essence."
-Col Jack D Ripper, Dr. Strangelove
This is why I switched from
This is why I switched from water to wine.
SPEEDING UP THE AGING PROCESS - FLUORIDE: THE AGING FACTOR
They called it "Das Dorf der jungen Greise", the village where people age before their time. In 1978, the German magazine "Stern" reported on this village of Kizilcaoern, Turkey, describing it as a place where even the young looked and felt old. At the age of 30 they would look like old men, their facial skin was wrinkled, muscle tone weakened with walking difficulties.
There were numerous premature births, with babies stillborn after four or five months of gestation.
Dr. Yusef C. Ozkan and his colleagues at the Medical faculty of the University of Eskisehir suspect that the cause of all this suffering is to be sought in the high content of fluorides. The medical people say that the fluoride content of the water is 5.4 parts per million. Similar symptoms have been reported elsewhere. Dr. Frada and co-workers from the University of Palmero reported that the people in the Sicilian village of Acquaviva Platani experienced a premature hardening of the arteries and premature senility, as well as an increase in mortality which Dr. Frada attributed to the 5 parts per million fluoride found in their drinking water. Similar findings have been found in certain areas of India where fluoride levels are high.
FLUORIDE AND PREMATURE SKIN WRINKLING
Fluoride at levels as low as 1 part per million in the drinking water give rise to an irregular formation of collagen in the body. Collagen, which makes up about a third of our bodies, is a major component of skin, ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage, bones and teeth.
The disruption of this collagen is what results in wrinkling of the skin, weakening of the ligaments, tendons and muscles. When fluoride induces the breakdown or irregular formation of collage in cartilage, irreversible arthritis and stiffness of the joints is observed. Moreover, fluoride interferes with the production of collagen in cells responsible for laying down tooth enamel and bone. This results in deformed teeth and bones which is characteristic of high fluoride intake.
Today, two-thirds of US public drinking water is fluoridated. Many municipalities still resist the practice, disbelieving the government's assurances of safety. Since the days of World War II when the US prevailed by building the world's first atomic bomb, the nation's public health leaders have maintained that low doses of fluoride are safe for people and good for children's teeth. That safety verdict should now be re-examined in the light of new research that is emerging.
The impact can be seen literally in the smiles of our children. Large numbers (up to 80 per cent in some cities) of young Americans now have dental fluorosis, the first visible sign of excessive fluoride exposure according to the US National Research Council. (The signs are whitish flecks or spots, particularly on the front teeth, or dark spots or stripes in more severe
cases.) Less known to the public is that fluoride also accumulates in bones. "The teeth are windows to what's happening in the bones," explained Paul Connett, Professor of Chemistry at St Lawrence University, New York, to these reporters. In recent years, pediatric bone specialists have expressed alarm about an increase in stress fractures among young people in the US. Connett and other scientists are concerned that fluoride-linked to bone damage in studies since the 1930s-may be a contributing factor.
SYMPTOMS OF FLUORIDE POISONING IN THE WESTERN WORLD
The United States Pharmacopoeia lists some of the side-effects that can result from the daily ingestion of the amount of fluoride found in 1 to 2 pints of artificially fluoridated water. The side-effects are as follows: black tar-like stools, bloody vomit, faintness, nausea, shallow breathing, stomach cramps or pain, tremors, unusual excitement, unusual increase in saliva, watery eyes, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, pain and aching bones, skin rash, sores in the mouth and on the lips, stiffness,
weight loss, white, brown, and black discoloration of teeth.
FLUORIDE AND CNS EFFECTS
Animal studies which Dr. Phyllis Mullenix, former head of toxicology at Forsyth Dental Center in Boston and now a critic of fluoridation and co-workers conducted at Forsyth in the early 1990s indicated that fluoride was a powerful central nervous system (CNS) toxin and might adversely affect human brain functioning even at low doses. (New epidemiological evidence from China adds support, showing a correlation between low-dose fluoride exposure and diminished IQ in children.) Mullenix's results were published in 1995 in a reputable peer-reviewed scientific journal ("Neurotoxicity of Sodium Fluoride in Rats", Neurotoxicology and Teratology, vol. 17, no. 2, 1995, pp. 169-177). During her investigation, Mullenix was astonished to discover there had been virtually no previous US studies of fluoride's effects on the human brain. Then, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) turned down her application for a grant to continue her CNS research, when an NIH panel flatly told her "fluoride does not have central nervous system effects".
Even Procter and Gamble, the makers of Crest toothpaste, admit that "theoretically, at least, a tube of toothpaste contains enough fluorine to kill a child". When the toothbrushing habits of 12-24 month old children was examined, it was found that 20% of children ingested more than 0.25mg of fluoride a day by toothbrushing alone. It was found that a 4-6 year old child will consume 25 - 33% of the toothpaste on their brush. Swedish scientists, who have now banned the use of fluorine in the water, warn that children should not brush their teeth more than once a day if they live in a fluoridated area. Sodium fluoride, the type used in toothpaste, is one of the most frequent causes of acute poisoning in young children.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM DISASTER!
On November 11, 1979, up to 50 parts per million fluoride was dumped into the Annapolis, Maryland public water system. This resulted in the poisoning of 50,000 people. After conducting an epidemiological study, Dr. Yiamouyiannis found that approximately 10,000 people exhibited acute symptoms of fluoride poisoning. Of those that had suffered fluoride poisoning, 62% complained of musculoskeletal symptoms, 65% of neurological symptoms, 81% gastrointestinal symptoms, 59% urological symptoms, and 13% dermatological symptoms.
DENTISTRY AND FLUORIDE TREATMENT
There are also many cases of children dying of fluoride treatment by a dentist or dental hygienist. Surveys showed that over 6% of the children receiving fluoride treatments at the dental office complained of side effects, including nausea and vomiting, either immediately or within one hour following treatment. Unfortunately, there are cases of children dying after a routine cleaning of teeth at the dentist, as in the tragic case of a 3-year old Brooklyn boy in 1974 whose parents were awarded $750,000 after a lethal dose of fluoride at a dental clinic. There are many other such tragic deaths of children for fluoride poisoning.
Physicians have observed that acne-like eruptions can be caused by fluoridated toothpaste with areas around the mouth.
Some teachers are currently administering fluoride mouth-rinse programs to children. This is illegal, as fluoride is classified both as a drug and a poison.
THE DESTRUCTIVE MECHANISMS OF FLUORIDE
For those that have an inquisitive mind, I will briefly list some of the major destructive mechanisms of fluoride:
IMMUNE SYSTEM DAMAGE
a) Fluoride decreases the migration rate of lymphocytes (leukotaxis) - as little as 0.2 parts per million fluorides (the amount found in the blood of people living in fluoridated areas) is enough to inhibit the movement of while blood cells.
b) Researchers have found that fluoride can increase the urinary levels of cyclic AMP (adenosine monophosphate). Cyclic AMP inhibits the migration rate of lymphocytes, as well as the ability of white blood cells to destroy foreign agents such as bacteria, viruses, etc. (phagocytosis). These phagocytic cells secrete a chemical called super oxide, which aids the ultimate destruction of the foreign agents - fluoride inhibits the synthesis of super oxide, therefore depleting the ability of the white blood cells to properly destroy these foreign agents.
COLLAGEN BREAKDOWN
a) There are 5 different cells that produce collagen and other collagen-like substances in the body. These are fibroblasts (ligaments and muscles), chondroblasts (cartilage), osteoblasts (bone), ameloblasts (tooth enamel) and odontoblasts (tooth dentine). Collagen protein contains two additional amino acids, hydroxyproline and hypdroxylysine, not found in other proteins.
Fluoride breaks these amino acids down, where they are found to increase in the blood and the urine. Again, as little as 1 ppm of fluoride is enough to interfere with collagen metabolism, leading to its breakdown. Abnormal bone and cartilage growth occurs as the collagen-producing cells try to compensate by producing larger quantities of imperfect collagen.
DENTAL FLUOROSIS
a) With as little as 1 ppm of fluoride, ameloblasts, the collagen-producing cells of the tooth, begin to secrete an abnormal collagen matrix. Depending on the degree of this interference, the tooth enamel loses its translucent appearance.
b) Disruption of the collagen laid down by odontoblasts to form dentin, which makes up the structural bulk of the tooth, results in part of the tooth fracturing off, leading to pits and parts of the tooth breaking away.
SKELETAL FLUOROSIS
a) Fluoride has been shown to interfere with collagen formation in osteoblasts and chondroblasts. There is an increased production of imperfect collagen or collagen-like protein resulting in mineralization of tissues, which should not be mineralized, leading to a calcification of ligaments, cartilage and tendons.
b) Drs. Singh and Jolly, internationally recognized experts on the clinical effects of fluorosis on bone, point out that the most noticeable changes are detected in the spine, with calcification of various spinal ligaments, resulting in pronounced bony outgrowths.
c) Researchers have also found a correlation between the rate of hip fractures and the degree of fluoridation in the USA. A study in Britain found that by increasing the concentration of fluorine in the water for 0 to 1 ppm would increase the hip fracture rate by about 40%.
PREMATURE AGING
a) Disruption of collagen metabolism leads to the calcification of tissues, which should not be calcified, and a reduction of calcification in tissues, which should be calcified. Examination of tissues of people exposed to fluoride shows calcified ligaments, tendons, muscles and thyroid cartilage.
b) Fibroblasts in the arterial cells again produce larger amounts of imperfect collagen, resulting in hardening of the arteries or
arteriosclerosis, one of the leading causes of death.
c) The wrinkling in the skin is probably a result of a breakdown in collagen structure or to a slight calcification of the skin collagen (scleroderma), or both.
GENETIC DAMAGE
a) Researchers have reported that 1-ppm fluoride inhibits DNA repair enzyme activity by 50%. When a cell is damaged, it provides a group of enzymes called the DNA repair enzyme system which repairs the DNA damage. Fluoride inhibits these repair mechanisms, leading to an increase in genetic or chromosomal damage. Most of the damage is in the testes cells, which could lead to birth defects and other metabolic disorders which can be passed on from generation to generation.
CANCER
a) Substances like fluoride that cause genetic damage are called mutagenic substances, which could also be carcinogenic, as supported by various research studies. Japanese scientists have shown that fluoride does not only cause genetic damage but was also capable of transforming normal cells into cancer cells. These researchers found that cells treated with 34 and 45-ppm
fluoride produced cancer (fibro sarcoma) when injected under the skin of otherwise healthy adult hamsters.
b) Mouse studies have shown that fluoride can cause a rather rare liver cancer called hepatocholangiocarcinomas.
c) Other researchers have shown a 33% to 50% increase in oral and pharyngeal cancers in fluoridated areas of the USA.
d) In 1991, the National Cancer Institute found that the incidence of osteosarcomas (bone cancer) was about 50% higher in men 0-19 years of age exposed to fluoridated water as compared to those who were not.
e) According to estimates, over 10,000 people in the USA die of cancer each year due to fluoridation of public drinking water.
There has been a lot of research that has tried to show that fluoride is indeed an essential nutrient. None of these studies proved this; not one person has ever been found with a fluoride deficiency. Quite the contrary, fluoride interferes adversely with the body's normal biochemistry, causing disruption and damage. This activity is what would be expected from what is
now categorized as "poisons". It should not surprise us then, to discover that fluoride is frequently used as a rodenticide and insecticide!
Fluoride was first added to
Fluoride was first added to the city's water in the late 80s when I was on the city council. Unlike what Mayor Valdez has said about previous councils we did our homework on this issue. Every dentist and medical doctor in Del Rio, signed a petition to add it to our water and several came before the council and explained the good, bad and ugly about fluoride. Dr. L. G. Taylor and Dr Susan Pitts were the leading supporters. Perhaps todays council didn't do their homework by reading the past minutes or even calling the members of the council that first approved it. I never received any inquiry by any current council member. It seems like good manners to first find out why something was done before undoing what previous councils did. This issue resurfaced again duing the time Carlos Martinez was acting city manager in the mid 90s. That council held firm despite a barrage of misinformation like this council got. This council did the right thing by reversing themselves. A personal note to Mister-- I am proud of you.
Lee Weathersbee
This is a sad day for
This is a sad day for science.
I can't believe what I just read. Shame on you, ADA.