March 23rd, 2006

"Fluoride in Water Threatens Bone Health"

Today, the National Academy of Sciences reported that fluoride in drinking water can cause severe damage to the teeth and bones. The study also indicates that federal standards fail to protect Americans from these serious risks.

The deliberate addition of fluoride into drinking water has been a controversial topic for decades. Dozens of reports have previously indicated a positive link between fluoridated drinking water and serious adverse health effects. Despite this information, fluoride is still touted by some as a sensible solution to dental decay.

According to the most recent report published by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), most people in the United States receive drinking water with concentrations of fluoride far below the limits established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, a panel of experts has discovered that at least 200,000 Americans consume water that contains higher levels of fluoride than is deemed safe by the EPA.

The EPA allows a maximum of four milligrams of fluoride per liter of drinking water (a standard that was passed decades ago). The report found this level does NOT protect against serious health hazards.

In an official statement, the NAS stated that when children are exposed to the EPA''s maximum acceptable fluoride levels, they are at a significant risk for developing fluorosis. Fluorosis is a condition that causes serious discoloration of the tooth enamel, loss of tooth enamel, and pitting of the teeth.

In the past, experts decided that the risk of fluorosis was not enough to elicit stronger regulation of fluoride in drinking water. Their reasoning was that this problem is largely cosmetic, rather than medical. However, recent assessments indicate that fluorosis IS a health threat, as tooth enamel functions to protect the teeth from decay and infection. Fluoridated water destroys tooth enamel.

The panel also concluded that people who consume fluoridated water have a higher lifetime risk for bone fractures. Other studies have found a positive correlation between fluoride and osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer that commonly affects adolescents, particularly males.

The watchdog group, Environmental Working Group, commended the NSA''s report. According to the group''s senior scientist we now have, “from the top nation''s voice on science, [confirmation] that you can protect your children''s teeth by brushing them and you can protect their bones be getting rid of fluoride in tap water.”

If you or a loved one has suffered osteosarcoma, you may wish to contact us to speak with a qualified attorney to learn more about the link between fluoride and osteosarcoma.