Drinking fluoridated water can cause more than 130 different health problems, peer-reviewed science shows.

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Fact Check: Does Fluoridated Water Cause More Than 130 Health Problems?

<p>The claim that drinking fluoridated water can cause more than 130 different health problems has been circulating widely, primarily due to articles and statements from organizations like the Fluoride Action Network and individuals such as Ethan Huff. However, a thorough examination of the scientific literature reveals a different story.</p>
<p>Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, and various foods. It is often added to public water supplies to prevent tooth decay, a practice endorsed by numerous health organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization, the American Dental Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p>
<h2>Examining the Evidence</h2>
<p>The claim that fluoride causes a multitude of health problems often relies on studies that are either outdated, methodologically flawed, or misinterpreted. Let's break down the key points:</p>
<h3>Dental Fluorosis</h3>
<p>Dental fluorosis is a cosmetic condition that can occur with excessive fluoride intake, particularly during tooth development in children. It manifests as changes in the appearance of tooth enamel, ranging from barely noticeable white spots to staining and pitting. While fluorosis is not a disease, severe forms can lead to enamel loss.</p>
<p>A systematic review published in 2019 found that the prevalence of dental fluorosis has increased in fluoridated areas, but the majority of cases are mild and do not cause significant issues (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31175943/">PubMed</a>).</p>
<h3>Neurotoxicity</h3>
<p>One of the most contentious claims is that fluoride is neurotoxic, particularly affecting children's IQ. A study often cited is the 2017 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety study, which suggested that prenatal fluoride exposure could lower children's IQ (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28937959/">PubMed</a>). However, this study has been criticized for its methodological limitations and potential confounding factors.</p>
<p>A more robust study published in JAMA Pediatrics in 2019 found an association between maternal exposure to higher levels of fluoride during pregnancy and lower IQ scores in children aged 3 to 4 years (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31424532/">PubMed</a>). However, this study also had limitations, and the results do not establish a causal relationship.</p>
<p>A systematic review by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) concluded that while some studies suggest potential adverse effects of fluoride on neurodevelopment, the evidence is not sufficient to classify fluoride as a neurotoxin (<a href="https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/ohat/flouride/index.html">NTP</a>).</p>
<h3>Skeletal Fluorosis</h3>
<p>Skeletal fluorosis is a bone disease caused by excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones. It can lead to pain and damage to bone structure. This condition is typically found in areas with naturally high fluoride levels in water, such as parts of India and China, rather than in areas with controlled fluoridation.</p>
<p>A study from the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that skeletal fluorosis is rare in communities with optimally fluoridated water (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24456662/">PubMed</a>).</p>
<h3>Other Health Claims</h3>
<p>Claims about fluoride causing a wide range of health problems, including cancer, thyroid dysfunction, and kidney damage, are not supported by robust scientific evidence. For instance:</p>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Cancer:</strong> A comprehensive review by the National Research Council found no credible evidence linking fluoride in water to an increased risk of cancer (<a href="https://www.nap.edu/catalog/11571/fluoride-in-drinking-water-a-scientific-review-of-epas-standards">NAP</a>).</li>
  <li><strong>Thyroid Dysfunction:</strong> While high levels of fluoride can affect thyroid function, the levels found in fluoridated water are too low to cause significant issues (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28491264/">PubMed</a>).</li>
  <li><strong>Kidney Damage:</strong> Studies suggesting that fluoride causes kidney damage often involve extremely high doses not relevant to water fluoridation levels (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24350575/">PubMed</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>While excessive fluoride intake can lead to dental and skeletal fluorosis, the levels of fluoride used in water fluoridation are carefully controlled to prevent these issues. The claim that drinking fluoridated water causes more than 130 different health problems is not supported by credible scientific evidence. It is important to rely on robust, peer-reviewed studies and avoid misinterpreting or misrepresenting scientific data.</p>
<p>For those concerned about fluoride exposure, it is advisable to consult healthcare professionals and consider all available evidence. Water fluoridation remains a widely accepted public health measure for preventing tooth decay, with the benefits outweighing the potential risks when implemented correctly.</p>

<h2>Introduction</h2>
<p>Infowars recently claimed that a federal court ruling determined that fluoride levels in U.S. drinking water pose unnecessary risks to children’s IQ and cognitive development. This claim has sparked controversy, especially given the American Dental Association's (ADA) continued support for water fluoridation. This article will examine the evidence surrounding this claim.</p>
<h2>The Claim</h2>
<p>The claim suggests that fluoride in drinking water is harmful to children's cognitive development and IQ. This assertion is based on a recent court ruling that acknowledged potential risks associated with fluoride exposure.</p>
<h2>Scientific Evidence</h2>
<p>The scientific community has extensively studied the effects of fluoride on dental health and cognitive development. While some studies have suggested potential risks, the majority of research supports the safety and benefits of fluoridated water.</p>
<p>A systematic review by the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4816526/">National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)</a> concluded that water fluoridation is effective in preventing tooth decay and does not pose significant health risks. Another study published in the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4816526/">Journal of Dental Research</a> found no consistent evidence of adverse effects on cognitive development from fluoride exposure at levels used in community water fluoridation.</p>
<h2>The Court Ruling</h2>
<p>The court ruling mentioned in the claim did acknowledge potential risks associated with fluoride exposure. However, it is important to note that the ruling did not conclusively determine that fluoridated water is injurious to public health. Instead, it required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take regulatory actions to protect future generations.</p>
<h2>American Dental Association's Stance</h2>
<p>The ADA has consistently supported community water fluoridation as a safe and effective means of preventing tooth decay. In response to the court ruling, the ADA reaffirmed its position, stating that the ruling provides no scientific basis for changing its endorsement of water fluoridation.</p>
<p>The ADA's stance is backed by numerous studies and organizations, including the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/index.html">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)</a>, which considers water fluoridation one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>While the court ruling has raised concerns about fluoride exposure, the majority of scientific evidence supports the safety and benefits of water fluoridation. The ADA's continued support for fluoridated water is based on a large body of research showing its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay without significant health risks. Therefore, the claim that fluoride in drinking water causes brain damage in children is not supported by the majority of scientific evidence.</p>

Claim Review: American Dental Association Defends Fluoridated Water Despite Court Ruling

<h2>Introduction</h2>
<p>A recent article from The Expose claims that Public Health Scotland has revealed that Covid-19 is no more deadly than seasonal flu. This claim is based on a study that reported an infection fatality rate (IFR) of 0.08% for Covid-19 in Scotland, which is within the range of the IFR for seasonal flu (0.03% to 0.1%). However, a closer examination of the data and scientific literature reveals significant misinterpretations and misinformation.</p>
<h2>Understanding Infection Fatality Rates</h2>
<p>The infection fatality rate (IFR) is a measure of the proportion of deaths among all infected individuals, including those who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. The IFR for Covid-19 has been a subject of intense study and debate throughout the pandemic.</p>
<p>A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32545-9/fulltext">Lancet</a> estimated the global IFR of Covid-19 to be around 0.68%, which is significantly higher than the IFR of seasonal flu.</p>
<h2>The Winter Covid-19 Infection Study</h2>
<p>The article from The Expose references the Winter Covid-19 Infection Study (WCIS), which reported an IFR of 0.0762% for Scotland. However, it is essential to note that this study has not been peer-reviewed and its methodology and findings should be interpreted with caution.</p>
<p>Moreover, the WCIS study focused on a specific time period (November 2023 to March 2024) and a specific population (participants in England and Scotland). The IFR can vary significantly depending on the population studied, the prevalence of comorbidities, and the availability of healthcare resources.</p>
<h2>Covid-19 vs. Seasonal Flu</h2>
<p>While the IFR is an important metric, it is not the only factor to consider when comparing the severity of Covid-19 and seasonal flu. Other factors include:</p>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Transmissibility:</strong> Covid-19 is more contagious than seasonal flu, with a higher basic reproduction number (R0). This means that Covid-19 can spread more rapidly and widely than seasonal flu.</li>
  <li><strong>Hospitalizations:</strong> Covid-19 has resulted in a much higher number of hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions than seasonal flu. This has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide.</li>
  <li><strong>Long-term effects:</strong> Many people who have recovered from Covid-19 continue to experience long-term symptoms, a condition known as 'long Covid.' The long-term effects of Covid-19 are still not fully understood, but they appear to be more severe and persistent than those of seasonal flu.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>The claim that Covid-19 is no more deadly than seasonal flu is false. While the IFR of Covid-19 in Scotland was reported to be within the range of seasonal flu in a specific study, this finding is not representative of the global IFR of Covid-19, which is significantly higher. Furthermore, Covid-19 is more transmissible, results in more hospitalizations, and has more severe long-term effects than seasonal flu.</p>
<p>It is crucial to rely on peer-reviewed scientific literature and official public health guidance when evaluating claims about the severity of Covid-19. Misinformation can have serious consequences for public health and safety.</p>

Claim Review: Is Covid No More Deadly Than Seasonal Flu?

<p>The claim that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report confirms fluoride exposure is associated with lower IQ in children has been circulating widely. This claim is based on a report by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), which was delayed and finally released in August 2024. The report presents a comprehensive evaluation of the scientific evidence associating fluoride exposure with cognitive and neurodevelopmental health effects.</p>
<p>The NTP report found that 72 studies examined the association between fluoride exposure and IQ in children, with 64 showing an inverse relationship. This means that higher fluoride exposure was linked to lower IQ scores. Even at lower concentrations, fluoride exposure was associated with lower IQ. However, the report includes several caveats that are important to consider.</p>
<p>Firstly, the report mentions 'higher estimated fluoride exposures,' which are at drinking water fluoride concentrations that exceed the World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality of 1.5 mg/L of fluoride. The NTP scientists call for more studies to fully understand the potential for lower fluoride exposure to affect children's IQ. These caveats have been used by some media outlets to downplay the significance of the report's conclusions.</p>
<p>Despite these caveats, the NTP scientists make it clear that their conclusions apply to the US population. They state that because people receive fluoride from multiple sources (not just drinking water), individuals living in areas with optimally fluoridated water can have total fluoride exposures higher than the concentration of their drinking water. Additionally, there are people living in the United States who live in areas with naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water that is higher than 1.5 mg/L.</p>
<p>The release of the NTP report coincides with an ongoing legal battle between the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Fluoride Action Network (FAN). The lawsuit began following the EPA's 2016 decision to deny the plaintiff's petition under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). FAN is attempting to prove that fluoride is a neurotoxin and should be regulated or banned under the TSCA.</p>
<p>Emails released as part of the lawsuit reveal that various elements of the US government appear to have been involved in a concerted effort to block the release of the NTP draft report. The emails show that NTP scientists believed their work was completed and set a date for May 2022 for publication. However, leadership at the top levels of the Department of Health and Human Services intervened to stop the report from being released.</p>
<p>In conclusion, the claim that the US Department of Health and Human Services report confirms fluoride exposure is associated with lower IQ in children is partially true. While the report does suggest a link, it also includes caveats that need to be considered. The report calls for more studies to fully understand the potential for lower fluoride exposure to affect children's IQ. Additionally, the report's release has been surrounded by controversy, with evidence suggesting that government officials attempted to block its publication.</p>
<p>For more information, you can refer to the following studies:</p>
<ul>
  <li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6478697/">Fluoride exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis</a></li>
  <li><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2748634">Association Between Maternal Fluoride Exposure During Pregnancy and IQ Scores in Offspring in Canada</a></li>
</ul>
<p>These studies provide a more detailed analysis of the association between fluoride exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children.</p>

Claim Review: US Department of Health and Human Services Report on Fluoride and IQ

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