Fluoride - Demand AARP Take Action

[CarryAnne]

“The evidence that fluoride is more harmful than beneficial is now overwhelming… fluoride may be destroying our bones, our teeth, and our overall health.” - Dr. Hardy Limeback,  former President of Canadian ADA, Head of Preventive Dentistry at Univ of Toronto, 2006 National Research Council Scientist (2007)

The 2006 National Research Council on Fluoride in Drinking Water commented to the EPA that fluoridation at 1 ppm can be anticipated to be harmful for those with reduced renal function and the elderly. The NRC confirmed that fluoride not excreted by kidneys builds up in bones, resulting in arthritic pain and increased brittleness. However, there were no EPA studies on the whole health impacts of fluoridated water on susceptible population such as kidney patients, children, those with prolonged disease or the elderly. There still aren’t. 

However, there is mounting science from other sources that “optimally fluoridated” water, which is known to cause varying degrees of dental fluorosis in 58% of Black American adolescents and 36% of White American adolescents, is causing subtle deficits in ability to remember or focus. That same “optimal level” has also been proved in a 2014 study as being nephrotoxic in rats with chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 15% of Americans, although CKD is quadruple the rate in Black Americans, and predictably worse in older Americans. 

Perhaps the most horrifying part of the story of fluoridation is that not only is at least 50% of every drop of fluoride that has passed the lips of a Baby Boomer permanently stored in bones, fluoride isn't the only poison in packages of fluoride that originate as the waste product of aluminum an phosphate industry. 100% of the fluoride sampled in a 2014 study was contaminated with aluminum; arsenic and lead were other common contaminants. In other words, fluoridated water serves as a delivery system for aluminum and lead into our bones and our brains. As we all know, aluminum is associated with Alzheimers in adults, and lead is associated with learning disabilities in children. Approximately 15% of the population who is sensitive to chemicals cite inability to think clearly and overwhelming fatigue as symptoms of exposure to fluoridated water. 

Our generation was part of a great human experiment. It may have had noble intentions based on the faulty hypothesis that  drinking fluoridated water prevented cavities. It is now known that any perceived benefits of fluoride are from tooth brushing.  Our grandchildren are the third generation in this travesty. I suggest we all DEMAND the AARP stand up for us and our grandchildren by issuing a strong position paper calling for the cessation of water fluoridation. 

SCIENCE REFERENCES

1. 2014 in Toxicology. Effect of water fluoridation on the development of medial vascular calcification in uremic rats. (“Optimal levels” worsen kidney function😞 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24561004
    
2. 2015  in Neurotoxicology and Teratology. Association of lifetime exposure to fluoride and cognitive functions in Chinese children: A pilot study.  (Children with visible dental fluorosis perform less well on memory tasks, correlating with the degree of severity of their fluorosis. One of a series of human and animal studies with the same consistent findings.😞 
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25446012  
2. http://braindrain.dk/2014/12/mottled-fluoride-debate/ 
   
   
3. 2014 in Physiology and Behavior. Fluoride exposure during development affects both cognition and emotion in mice. (Measurable behavioral changes😞 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24184405
   
   
4. 2014 in International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health. A new perspective on metals and other contaminants in fluoridation chemicals. (All samples of fluoride are contaminated with aluminum, plus other contaminants like arsenic, lead and barium); 
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24999851
2. http://momsagainstfluoridation.org/sites/default/files/Mullenix%202014-2-2.pdf
   
   
5. 2014 in Scientific World Journal. Water Fluoridation: A Critical Review of the Physiological Effects of Ingested Fluoride as a Public Health Intervention. (Health risks and cost don't justify minimal and questionable dental benefit.):  http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/293019/

RACIAL INEQUITY (FOIA)

Here are three Oct 2014 news articles on the content of the Freedom of Information Act documents. Rev. Andrew Young, former UN ambassador has pursued them with the CDC, but to little effect. Civil Rights leaders have been calling for an end to community water fluoridation (CWF) since 2011. 

• 1. Black Americans disproportionately harmed: http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/health-care/item/19317-feds-blacks-suffer-most-from-fluoride-fl...
• 2. CDC, ADA and Pew inappropriate relationships: http://benswann.com/do-newly-released-emails-reveal-conflict-of-interest-between-the-cdc-and-the-ada...
• 3. Kidneys, Civil Rights & Ralph Nader: http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2014/10/428383.shtml

2015 LEGAL ARGUMENT (GROSS DISPROPORTIONALITY) 

There is a legal initiative in Peel, Ontario (pop 1.3m) to remove fluoride from the water supply based on the principle of gross disproportionality, i.e. marginal benefit does not justify great risk of harm. There is also a political effort afoot in Canadian govt to mandate fluoridation and thereby make the legal argument moot. I suggest this document is well-worth printing.  http://fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/peel.june2014.pdf

• a. The first 19 pages of this document is about the legal strategy. It includes summary of US legal cases that found water fluoridation harmful to the public, but legal under US "police power" mandate.
• b. Starting on page 20 is a devastating affidavit by Dr. Kathleen Thiessen, NAS/NRC scientist and international expert in risk assessment. Very readable summary of science indicating harm to populations in “optimally” fluoridated communities. 

POPULATION WITH LOW CHEMICAL THRESHOLD

1. In excess of 25% of previously healthy Gulf War Veterans have Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, which includes sensitivity to fluoride. See: http://www.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/committee_documents/gwiandhealthofgwveterans_rac-gwvireport_2008.pdf 
1. EXCERPT: “It is well established that some people are more vulnerable to adverse effects of certain  chemicals than others, due to variability in biological processes that neutralize those chemicals, and clear them from the body.” - Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses 2008 
2. Affidavit of Dr. Hans Moolenburgh: https://fluorideinformationaustralia.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/affidavit-moolenburgh.pdf
1. Except: “As a summary of our research, we are now convinced that fluoridation of the water supplies causes a low grade intoxication of the whole population, with only the approximately 5% most sensitive persons showing acute symptoms.The whole population being subjected to low grade poisoning means that their immune systems are constantly overtaxed. With all the other poisonous influences in our environment, this can hasten health calamities.” 
3. PubMed Listed Studies on immune system response: 
1. a. Fluoride makes allergies worse, rats (1990): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1707853 
2. b. Fluoride makes allergies worse, in vitro (1999): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9892783
3. c. Immune system of the gut (2010): http://www.hindawi.com/journals/iji/2010/823710/ 
4. d. ASIA Syndrome, adjuvant impact (2011): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20708902
5. e. Gene predicts fluoride sensitivity (2015): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25556215
6. f.  Brain has an immune system (2015): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26030524

AARP - STAND UP on our behalf! 

[CarryAnne · Accepted solution]

 Dr. Joel Bohemier’s presentation to the Commissioners of Collier County, FL  includes quotes for EPA, CDC and others under oath from TSCA trial depositions. This presentation was part of the Commissioners deliberation that resulted in its unanimous vote to end fluoridation last week: https://unite.live/widgets/4142/recording/player#  

It is in the hands of Judge Chen, now, but I've got to say that the closing on Feb. 20th was odd.

Not only did Judge Chen pepper both attorneys with questions, the EPA attorneys seemed to admit that fluoride exposure at doses consistent with water concentration of 1.5 ppm, 2 ppm and 4 ppm had been proven to result in lower IQ per studies of mom-child pairs performed in Canadian and other communities across the world. They admitted this despite the official policy of the U.S. EPA stating there is no harm up to 4 ppm (the actionable threshold for remediation) other than mild cosmetic dental fluorosis (tooth staining) at or above 2 ppm. The Canadian government has an actionable threshold of 1.5 ppm which is consistent with the WHO guidelines. 

When Judge Chen challenged the EPA that per both plaintiff and defense witnesses, shouldn't there be a protective uncertainty or safety factor of at least ten to protect consumers applied to 2 or 4 which would protect teeth from moderate dental fluorosis which a recent Health Canada is concern at 1.56 ppm and from severe dental fluorosis which the 2006 National Research Council (NRC) said was an adverse health risk at 4 ppm which would also protect brains, EPA Defense attorney said that would be an interesting thought experiment, but Plaintiff attorney didn't argue about dental fluorosis (which by the way is positively associated with lower IQ and learning disabilities) so the judge could not legally do so. Frankly, it almost seemed like the EPA attorneys were threatening the Judge. 

Judge Chen pushed back about EPA "Health Protective Assumption" guidelines, but EPA insisted that the Judge must not act based on science or consumer protection, but on strict interpretation of statutory law and the skill of the Plaintiff attorney in proving his case. 

On the other hand, Plaintiff attorney was clear that the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) only requires that any specific use of a chemical (fluoridation programs) not pose an "unreasonable risk" to consumers which include susceptible sub-populations like pregnant women and their offspring and bottle-fed babies. All five plaintiff witnesses were quite clear that optimally fluoridated water per CDC guidelines is subtly and permanently damaging the brains of millions of children. Even EPA witnesses and attorneys admitted that there is "something there" in the scientific evidence showing neurotoxic effects at 0.7 ppm, but argued it is not clearly defined enough to identify a "Point of Departure" for the EPA to perform a risk assessment. 

Really? 

Three Benchmark Dose Analyses which are the gold standard for beginning risk assessments and established uncertainty factors have identified that 0.2 mg/L, which is one tenth of 2 ppm, as harmful. This suggests that no fluoride exposure is safe for baby brains and is a scientifically justifiable Point of Departure in anyone's book.  

BMCL

But let's make it even easier for thick-headed fluoridationists to understand: 

• No amount of fluoride in water or food is safe for pregnant women and their fetuses; bottle-fed infants and young children; the elderly and any in fragile health, such as diabetics or those with thyroid or kidney disease. 

[CarryAnne · Accepted solution]

 “Today’s ruling represents an important acknowledgement of a large and growing body of science indicating serious human health risks associated with fluoridated drinking water. This court looked at the science and acted accordingly. Now the EPA must respond by implementing new regulations that adequately protect all Americans – especially our most vulnerable infants and children – from this known health threat.” - Wenonah Hauter, Director of Food & Water Watch in “Historic Court Decision in Fluoridation Toxicity Case Orders EPA to Act” (Sept. 25, 2024)

Well, it as been a busy few weeks! 

Not only was the final NTP Systematic Review, "Fluoride Exposure: Neurodevelopment and Cognition" published in August (despite political efforts by HHS/PHS and ADA to scuttle it) after five (or was it six) peer reviews, the Final Findings and Conclusion of Law from a lengthy de novo trial was rendered in September with excellent detail, and the 2024 Cochrane Systematic Review, "Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries," published in October repeated that dental fluorosis is an adverse effect of fluoridation, a practice which provides no benefit to adults or lower socio-economic groups. The Cochrane authors also wrote that the very small benefit they were able to document to children from "poor quality" studies at high risk of bias "may not be real." 

In other words, community water fluoridation is all risk and no benefit. Fluoridation is dental mythology, a magic potion tooth-fairy tale. The most important thing is that Judge Chen ordered the EPA to take action to eliminate the risk to consumers. 

• UNSAFE: p. 2:  the Court finds that fluoridation of water at 0.7 milligrams per liter (“mg/L”) – the level presently considered “optimal” in the United States – poses an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children.

• HAZARD: p 5:   The pooled benchmark dose analysis concluded that a 1-point drop in IQ of a child is to be expected for each 0.28 mg/L of fluoride in a pregnant mother’s urine. This is highly concerning, because maternal urinary fluoride levels for pregnant mothers in the United States range from 0.8 mg/L at the median and 1.89 mg/L depending upon the degree of exposure. Not only is there an insufficient margin between the hazard level and these exposure levels, for many, the exposure levels exceed the hazard level of 0.28 mg/L.
  
  

• CERTAINTY: p. 77: The scientific literature in the record provides a high level of certainty that a hazard is present; fluoride is associated with reduced IQ. There are uncertainties presented by the underlying data regarding the appropriate point of departure and exposure level to utilize in this risk evaluation. But those uncertainties do not undermine the finding of an unreasonable risk; in every scenario utilizing any of the various possible points of departures, exposure levels and metrics, a risk is present in view of the applicable uncertainty factors that apply.
  
  

• VULNERABILITY: p. 76: The size of the affected population is vast. Approximately 200 million Americans have fluoride intentionally added to their drinking water at a concentration of 0.7 mg/L. See Dkt. No. 421 at 206-07 (undisputed). Other Americans are indirectly exposed to fluoridated water through consumption of commercial beverages and food manufactured with fluoridated water
  
  

• SUSCEPTIBILITY: p. 76: Approximately two million pregnant women, and over 300,000 exclusively formula-fed babies are exposed to fluoridated water. The number of pregnant women and formula-fed babies alone who are exposed to water fluoridation each year exceeds entire populations exposed to conditions of use for which EPA has found unreasonable risk; the EPA has found risks unreasonable where the population impacted was less than 500 people. 

[td607]

Right on write on wil do!!!

[CarryAnne]

From: Moms Against Fluoridation 

Erin Brockovich and signers put the Health agencies on notice: April, 2015

Erin Brockovich has just put the government on big notice of their shortcomings in interpreting science and protecting the health of American citizens.  Please take time to read this document about fluoridation.  This is one of the very the best documents/ letters we have seen.  The references are great; the critical thinking is excellent, and the range and depth she covers are compelling.  And, it has some 'teeth'.  Just read the first 2 pages if you are short on time. Read Letter

I suggest the Signature page (p 16) and the Questions attachment (last page) provide the best summary of this 24 page document, but go ahead, read the whole thing. It's worth your time!   

[kf4601639]

Adding additional contaminants to water is not required by law and should be seen as a hindrance in the goal to provide the cleanest most natural water to customers.

[WillardO247964]

You are correct.  Contaminating water has strict laws and penalties.  Fluoridation is tradition, faith, speculation based rather than based on current science.

Bill Osmunson DDS MPH

[DrChuckHaynie]

The addition of water additives is a standard, important and well accepted component of proper drinking water utilities. Fluoride is but one of the over 40 water additives available to utilities. By your standard all are "additional contaminants."

[WillardO247964]

Hi Dr. Chuck,

Yes there are over 40 additives to water available to utilities to make the water safer, to treat water, none of them are approved with the intent to treat people.   

Perhaps you know how many of those 40 are classified by the EPA as contaminants and how many are classified as highly toxic.   

Bill Osmunson DDS MPH

[sn4302]

Thanks for the support!

Unfortuanately large cities such as NYC are mandated by Public Health programs to fluoridate the public water supply, even though the American Dental Association has not done it's homework: no large scale review of the scientific literature has shown that fluoride is safe and it also hasn't shown that it is effective: See the recent Cochrane Oral Health Review, National Academy of Science and The York Review for more details of studies showing adverse health effects.

[td607]

This is what I just sent to AARP's Media contact email:

Dear AARP,

I am one of a growing number of very concerned citizens now asking your organization, at this very critical moment in human history, to write a position statement opposing fluoridation.

Very simply, artificial fluoridation of our public water supplies is unconstitutional and unlawful mass medication of a non-consensual population. Introduced while the country rode the long booming wave of the post–World War II economic expansion, this "medication," which has been touted as the wonder drug of the dental health community, is in fact a mass poisoning orchestrated by the some members of government and big business. This partnership, long in cahoots, has mutually beneficial and allied agendas: keep the public at large, unhealthy but just healthy enough not to die right away but be kept tied to the healthcare system and in pharmaceutical dependence. 

This is no longer conspiracy theory: this conspiracy is a fact. Fluoride is, for a fact, an industrial waste that is produced in great amounts which has been brilliantly been being disposed of for over 45 year by way of dilution for profit as it is sold back to the public for consumption. You will not die immediately from these "very low levels" but in time, it will accumulate in your organs and something will give... you and your family will accept this as the normal aging process in a modern world where people are living longer and longer... but are we really going to become blasé about end-stage renal failure, parathyroid disease, and the like?

Please help by demanding they get the F(luoride) out of OUR water!

[kf4601639]

Sometimes, by the time you get to 50 or 60, people seem to think it is time to be in poor health, need a joint replacement, have thyroid dysfunction and diabetes.  With all the evidence of Fluoride being an endocrine dysrupter and known to Fluoride deposits in our bones, I imagine if AARP would take a long hard look at this topic, you would have numerous supporters from all walks of life.  The young people of the nation are beginning to see the illogical addition of Fluoride to our water supply and are shaking their heads at us older adults wondering why we let this continue for so long.

[DrChuckHaynie]

AARP must choose whether to believe the many systematic reviews as well as about 150 prestigious organizations and groups who advocate for fluoridation as important, safe and effective in preventing Cavities. Here's the list from the Quebec National Institute of Public health (alphabetic as long as the allowed post).
http://www.inspq.qc.ca/pdf/publications/705-WaterFluoration.pdf p 47


Academy of Dentistry International
Academy of General Dentistry
Academy for Sports Dentistry
Alzheimer's Association
America's Health Insurance Plans
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrie Dentistry
American Academy of Periodontology
American Academy of Physician Assistants
American Association for Community Dental Programs
American Association for Dental Research
American Association for Health Education
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Water Fluoridation: An Analysis of the Health Benefits and Risks
Institut national de santé publique du Québec 37
American Association of Endodontists
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
American Association of Orthodontists
American Association of Public Health Dentistry
American Association of Women Dentists
American Cancer Society
American College of Dentists
American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine
American College of Preventive Medicine
American College of Prosthodontists
American Council on Science and Health
American Dental Assistants Association
American Dental Association
American Dental Education Association
American Dental Hygienists' Association
American Dietetic Association
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
American Hospital Association
American Institute of Nutrition
American Legislative Exchange Council
American Medical Association
American Nurses Association
American Osteopathic Association
American Pharmaceutical Association
American Pharmacists Association
American Public Health Association
American School Health Association
American Society for Clinical Nutrition
American Society for Nutritional Sciences
American Student Dental Association
American Veterinary Medical Association
American Water Works Association
Water Fluoridation: An Analysis of the Health Benefits and Risks
38 Institut national de santé publique du Québec
Association for Academic Health Centers
Association of American Medical Colleges
Association of Clinicians for the Underserved
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Association of State and Territorial Public Health
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council NHMRC
Australian Dental Association ADA
Australian Health Ministers' Conference
Australia New South Wales Department of Health
Nutrition Directors
British Dental Association
British Fluoridation Society
British Medical Association
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Child Welfare League of America
Consumer Federation of America
Children's Dental Health Project
Consumer Federation of America
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
Delta Dental Plans Association
European Organization for Caries Research
Fédération Dentaire Internationale FDI
Federation of American Hospitals
Food and Nutrition Board
Great Britain Ministry of Health
Health Insurance Association of America
Hispanic Dental Association
Indian Dental Association U.S.A.
Institute of Medicine
International Association for Dental Research
Water Fluoridation: An Analysis of the Health Benefits and Risks
Institut national de santé publique du Québec 39
International Association for Orthodontics
International College of Dentists
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Mayo Clinic
National Academy of Science
National Association of Community Health Centers
National Association of County and City Health Officials
National Association of Dental Assistants
National Association of Local Boards of Health
National Association of Social Workers
National Cancer Institute
National Confectioners Association
National Council Against Health Fraud
National Dental Assistants Association
National Dental Association
National Dental Hygienists' Association
National Down Syndrome Congress
National Down Syndrome Society
National Eating Disorders Association
National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped
National Health Council
National Head Start Association
National Health Law Program
National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
New Zealand Ministry of Health
Oral Health America
Pan American Health Organization
Public Health Association of Australia
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Royal College of Physicians London
Society for Public Health Education
Society of American Indian Dentists
Special Care Dentistry
The Children's Health Fund
The Dental Health Foundation of California
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Public Health Service
U.S. Surgeon General
Health Resources and Services Administration HRSA
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC
Food and Drug Administration FDA
Indian Health Service
Health Resources and Services Administration HRSA
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research NIDCR
World Federation of Orthodontists
World Health Organization
Quebec Order of dentists
Quebec order of dental hygienists
Quebec college of physicians
Québec Association of Pediatricians
Quebec order of pharmacists
Quebec Federation of family physicians
Coalition Of Physicians for Social Justice
McGill University Faculty of Dentistry
Montreal Public Health Department
Quebec association of public health dentists
Montreal Children’s Hospital Council of Community Pediatricians
Montreal Children’ Hospital Child Development Program
Quebec dental academy
St-Justine Hospital department of pediatics
St-Justine Hospital university center
Table de concertation des hygienistes dentaires en sante communautaire des régions
Montreal, Laval, Laurentides et Lanaudiere
Montreal Research Centre on Social Inequalities in Health
University of Montreal department of social and preventive medicine
Dental association for disabled people
Quebec department of health and social services
Quebec department of environment
Canadian Association of Dental Public Health
Canadian Dental Association
Canadian Dental Hygienist Association
Canadian Medical Association
Canadian Nurses Association
Canadian Pediatric Society
Canadian Public Health Association
Health Canada

[CarryAnne]

 "The evidence against the safety of this public health policy will keep mounting and never disappear again. My ignorance of fluoride in the beginning was a matter of chance. If you ignore this evidence today, it will be a matter of choice.” - Dr. Phyllis Mullenix, Head Toxicologist at Forsyth Dental Center (1999) 

ON HYPERACTIVITY 

See TODAY's study published in Environmental Health that correlates ADHD (hyperactivity) in children with fluoridation. This is only the latest in 20 years of studies on animals and humans proving that fluoride in utero or youth not only permanently mottles the teeth of some children, but also permanently scrambles their brains:

1. 2015 Ecologic study: http://www.ehjournal.net/content/14/1/17/abstract
2. 1995 Animal study: http://www.fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/mullenix-1995.pdf

I recommend this 1996 talk by Dr. Phyllis Mullenix, the author of the 1995 study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hci7BnWydAo

Fluoridation is wrecking our health and the health of our grandkids! 

Phone and write AARP... tell them to take a stand against water fluoridation, now! 

[CarryAnne]

“The addition of fluorides to drinking water was, and is, a mistake.” - Dr. Robert Isaacson, 2006 National Research Council Scientist (2007)

ON THYROID

Did you see this week's Newsweek article on a nationwide English study? 

People living in fluoridated communities have significantly higher incidences of low thyroid. Over 50% more incidence in "optimally" fluoridated communities than in communities with <.3 ppm. http://www.newsweek.com/water-fluoridation-may-increase-risk-underactive-thyroid-disorder-309173 

That's not surprising. There are studies from the early 20th century connecting various thyroid and parathyroid conditions with fluorides in the water and mottled teeth. The 2006 NRC also confirmed that fluoride even at low concentrations disrupts endocrine function, i.e. thyroid hormones. Sadly, gung-ho dentists urged on by business who stood to profit convinced government that fluoride was some sort of magic bullet.  

Fluoridation is wrecking our health and the health of our grandkids! 

Phone and write AARP... tell them to take a stand against water fluoridation, now! 

[rb98221521]

If AARP has ever taken on a cuase that could have a great impact on the health of our community .... THIS IS IT!!!

[pablomck]

Extremely important topic from my community and for those of us over 50 as well.  If you've ever gone to an orthopedic sturgeon and been told, you have arthritis, bone spurs, thickening and brittleness of the bones, osteosclerosis, then you most likely have damage from too much fluoride. It's called skeletal fluorosis in just about every other county.  It is a chronic crippling problem that by that point you are aware of it there isn't much you can do about it but suffer and bear the expense.  The mayo clinic did one study associating it with too much black tea, but they've pretty much been told to back off fluoride if they want to advance their careers.   the original studies in 1946 by the ADA also clearly demonstrated this problem in the lab rats. 

[tt59717964]

Yes!! FLUORIDE - I am 61 and my wife is 65. This is an extremely important topic! I am retired with a degree in Environmental Sciences including Biological Chemistry with added studies in Nutrition.
Seniors are more at risk for all kinds of health complications, because as we ingest Fluoride in the water, foods, and from other sources, it accumulates.

The CDC states that half of the Fluoride we ingest, accumulates in the body!!

Since (FLUORIDE) F- is the MOST REACTIVE ION of any other element, it can EASILY REACT with many of the body’s minerals and chemicals.

See what the CDC says...

CDC - BONES and JOINTS
“…exposure to higher levels of fluoride may harm your health. Skeletal fluorosis can be caused by eating, drinking or breathing very large amounts of fluorides. This disease only occurs after long term exposures (because Fluoride accumulates with the ongoing daily bone formations of every age group) and can cause denser bones,
joint pain,
and a limited range of joint movement.
…severe cases, the spine completely rigid…”

CDC
“…fluoride can result in denser bones…
...these bones are often
more brittle
or fragile
than normal bone
and there is an increased risk of older men and women breaking a bone.
Some studies have also found a higher risk of bone fractures in older men and women at fluoride levels typically found in fluoridated water….”

CDC
40% of children suffer “dental fluorosis"

CDC - TOPICAL ONLY is effective
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) states that: “(Fluoride’s) actions primarily are topical for both adults and children”.

CDC - teeth breaking
“…in severe cases, the teeth are pitted and are fragile, and sometimes the teeth can break.”

CDC – The CDC’s ATSDR warns about consuming large amounts of fluoride in that “…it can cause stomach aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. Extremely large amounts can cause death by affecting your heart.”

I WANT MORE ARTICLES AND SUPPORT from AARP about exposing Fluoride's adverse health affects to the elderly (and young children or infants).

[SaraL218963]

We must fight FLUORIDE, it's more than proven that it is toxic. We need to demand action.
Meantime, we must protect ourselves with installation of a REVERSE OSMOSIS system, and if you can afford it a Whole house system with an ALUMINA ( not just carbon) Filter. I was fortunate to get an Aqualistic system a few years ago. Even my showers are fluoride free.
You can also research other filter systems, like distillation systems.
You can also help your body detox it with good supplements. Chlorella and Fresh Cilantoro are good inexpensive options.

[rs5526]

In Southern California where our water is very alkaline (pH 8.3), aluminum filters do not function well since aluminum binds hydroxide ion more efficiently than it does fluoride under these conditions.. I am also concerned about aluminum leaching from such units, so having a reverse osmosis unit installed for drinking and cooking water is good. 

[dd67136683]

Thanks for your intelligent and educational posts.

If you look on the Periodic Table of Elements, you will see Fluorine, Chlorine and Bromine (a common baking additive) all displace Iodine ~ which is vital to healthy thyroid function. No wonder thyroid malfunction has become rampant! We once added iodine to our table salt to insure adequate levels. Now, that effort has been sabotaged.

And honestly, if fluoride worked in preventing cavities, wouldn't America be cavity-free by now?

[DrChuckHaynie]

No, America would not expected to be and is not cavity-free.

This is a classic example of the Straw Man logical fallacy.

Fluoridation is not a silver bullet cure but it does greatly decrease the cavity burden a population must bear. 2/3rd of the operations for mouth fulls of rotten teeth preschool children must have are avoided. The economic return on the fluoridation investment in lower dental bills varies between communities from 12% to over 13,000%.

References furnished if anyone desires.

[rs5526]

We are going around in circles. Water additives have already been discussed. All water additives that are legalas described in the SDWA are those that actually purify water (remove debris, prevent corrosion, and sanitize water, etc.). But the one substance that is not a legal additive is fluoride. Fluoride is the only chemical added into water for the purpose of treating humans. It does not purify water.  The NSF labels fluosilicic acid hazardous waste as a water purifying agent pass inspection and to gain favor with skeptics so that it appears legal to add into water. Fluoride has zero ability to purify water. It is added to elevate the blood concentration of the non-nutrient contaminant fluoride ion in consumers.

[DavidF928895]

Richard, when you say things like this, I doubt you have ever read the SDWA.  Your quote:

"All water additives that are legalas described in the SDWA are those that actually purify water (remove debris, prevent corrosion, and sanitize water, etc.). "

It may surprise you, but there are very few additives which are described in the SDWA.  Did you know there is actually an additive which is NSF approved and is intended to treat Sodium Hypochlorite?  It neither sanatizes the water, removes debris, or prevents corrosion.  Nor is it described in the SDWA.  It is an additive to drinking water whose sole purpose is to prevent bleach from hardening up.  

So there is a phosphorous addive which treats bleach.  Show me that in the SDWA.

Your quote:  "The NSF labels fluosilicic acid hazardous waste . . "

That is a verifiable "untruth."  NSF says no such thing.  If so, please provide evidence of that.

Your quote from an earlier comment:  "And the suggestion is ridiculous that if one is opposed to fluoridation they should contact the "appropriate officials." There are no appropriate officials. The EPA  and the FDA both deny responsibility and liability for fluoridation and neither endorse it, but both do not oppose it."

We've been through this before.  EPA allows 4 parts per million of fluoride in drinking water.  That's a fact.  If someone were actually harmed by drinking water with 1 part per million of fluoride, that would be the fault of the EPA, because the EPA allows it.  And guess what.  People sue the EPA all the time.  

Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus 

[ri1666]

Fluoridation is an excellent issue for AARP to spearhead. This practice of adding toxic chemicals to raise the fluoride level to prevent tooth decay is NOT safe and is Not even effective!! And for seniors it jut adds more burden on our bodies especially our brains!! Fluoridation has become a political issue when  organizations like AARP need to look past the years of propaganda and endorsements and expose the harm out weieghs the supposed benefits! THANK you for opening up this topic ...AARP please take this on!!!

[rs5526]

Every city that discharges any contaminant into public water supplies,  regardless of state regulations, must  have an NPDES permit to do so. The problem for continuous discharging of fluoride, an EPA recognized contaminant in water,  Is that water districts do not regard fluoride when intentionally added, as a discharged item. So they don't think they need the permit for fluoride and no one  enforces the requirement for fluoride if the fluoride and its other contaminants was done intentionally (as mandated by CA law).

Again, why is it my fault that I cannot get calepa to forbid fluoridated water discharges into rivers (or water systems intended for consumption)?