The issue of whether sodium flouride is good for the human system has been in question for almost 60 years. "Sodium fluoride is currently being added to 70% of municipal water systems in the United States to prevent cavities in humans, mainly children. Sodium fluoride is also registered with the EPA as a rat poison, although advocates say its use in low levels of water pose no adverse health concerns (1)". Industrial waste fluorides that are used in public water supplies have never undergone the rigorous testing required by the FDA of new drug applications. Manufacturers have not been required to comply with the Toxic Substances Control Act to determine what effects these fluorides will have on people and on the environment before they are made available for public use. Water fluoridation violates the Safe Drinking Water Act as well as the Drug and Cosmetic Act. Fluoride is an extremely potent enzyme inhibitor with a toxicity rating greater than lead and just a bit less toxic than arsenic. Except for a few trial cities in Spain, fluoridation of public water has been abandoned by all western European countries and by Japan. Some have made claims linking the over0consumption of it to increases in bone and oral cancer, motor dysfunction, IW deficits and learning disabilities.

Many doctors are requesting that the EPQ conduct an unbiased, in-depth investigation of the risks posed by exposure to fluoride. One side points out that the EPA ignored the requirements of the law to protect sensitive individuals such as children or diabetics. "The EPA did not consider exposures in processed foods when setting the current standard. This includes Kool-Aid, baby formula, Coca cola, Pepsi, and other", say William L. Marcus, Ph.D., Senior Science Advisor of the Office of Science and Technology. There is also evidence that exposure to fluoride in drinking water over a long period of time may calcify ligaments and tendons causing arthritic pains, and may be partially responsible for the alarming increase in cases of repetitive stress injury. One doctor, John R. Lee, MD, has been extensively researching this subject for the past 25 years. Dr. Lee's article, The Truth about Mandatory Fluoridation, offers many facts regarding the history of this issue and sites several studies. He states "The Public Health Service confirms that dental fluorosis occurs in 30% to 60% of children in fluoridated communities...indicating excessive intake of fluoride from dietary, toothpaste and other sources. This certainly cases doubt on the wisdom of adding even more fluoride via the drinking water. The PHS is calling for reduction of fluoride contamination or processed foods and restrictions on the use, in young children, of fluoridated toothpaste."

Fluoride can be found in our tap water as well as in toothpaste, vitamins, processed foods, and dental applications. Many of the studies released claim that it is only effective when applied topically, as in a toothpaste or dental application. The problem with topical application stems for the fact that is being administered via the mouth, where it is quickly absorbed into the blood stream. There has been a decline in tooth decay in recent studies, but the role of fluoride remains controversial. The American Dental Association say fluoride's use is the cause of the decline, while other doctors and researchers attribute the decline to better cleaning habits and healthier diets. Most experts agree that the effect on teeth is limited to children three years or younger. That means everybody else who is over three years of age is exposed unnecessarily. Also, recent studies indicate that tooth decay has declined just as much in nonfluoridated communities as in ones that are fluoridated.

There is much information about this topic in the forms of studies, hearsay, polls, research, articles, websites, and pamphlets. We encourage you to look into this issue. There are alternatives...non-fluoridated toothpastes, filtered drinking water, makers of baby food who don't use municipal water, etc.

We have copies of various articles on this topic in the store. If you would like to read more, ask one of our cashiers and they will gladly supply you with references.

Dr. Lee's final statement follows, "The goal of our public water facilities should be to provide water that is as pure and safe as possible and not as a vehicle for universal pharmacological treatments regardless of age, the health status of the individual, or he presumed benefit, which, in the case of fluoride, is highly questionable, to say the least."