Irish Medical Journal Confirms Fluoride Damage

["Keith Whyte" <keith@media-solutions.ie>]

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Subject: Irish Medical Journal Confirms Fluoride Damage


FLUORIDE FREE WATER
C/O Sr. Rachel Hoey, St. Raphaela's Convent, Upper Kilmacud Road,
Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. Phone: 086 8720907.
Website: www.fluoridefree.com



IRISH MEDICAL JOURNAL CONFIRMS FLUORIDE DAMAGE!
A paper published in the most recent issue of the prestigious Irish Medical
Journal confirms fluoride damage to health(see below). The paper, titled
"Water Fluoridation - Pollutant or Panacea", authored by dentist Dr. Don Mac
Auley highlights both dental and health damage. Dr. Mac Auley cites
international, scientific studies and information accessed under the Freedom
of Information Act 1997 in Ireland.
A panel of Irish Doctors peer-reviewed the paper and the readership includes
most doctors in Ireland. Fluoride Free Water takes this opportunity to
congratulate the Irish Medical Organisation in raising this important issue
with their members. It is pivotal and timely that doctors become aware of
the health risks of water fluoridation.
A most important point raised by the paper is the fluoride overdosing of
infants. Dr. Mac Auley calculated, using the British Medical Association's
figures for safe fluoride levels in infants, that bottle-fed infants are
receiving unsafe fluoride levels in their daily feed.
He estimated that in Ireland, where parents are using fluoridated tap water
for formula feed, new-borns are receiving three times the safe dose of
fluoride and three-month olds nearly six times the safe limit.
Therefore, it is no surprise that dental fluorosis currently affects 50% of
the population. It is now time the Minister of Health ceased this outdated
unscientific mass-medication of the Irish people.
Fluoride Free Water welcomes Dr. Mac Auley's conclusion that, "water
fluoridation is now unsafe, ineffective and undemocratic".



IRISH MEDICAL JOURNAL

SEPT. 2000, VOL. 93, NO. 6, PP 165-168.

WATER FLUORIDATION: POLLUTANT OR PANACEA?

Two years ago, I would have described myself as a supporter of water
fluoridation but now, after extensive research, I have changed my mind.
Initially, I investigated this controversial subject at the behest of
several concerned patients, who would not accept my "Dental School"
knowledge. To these individuals, I will be always thankful.

BENEFITS OF FLUORIDE NOW IN QUESTION.

Increasing international, statistical evidence shows that there is no
difference in tooth decay between fluoridated and non-fluoridated
communities.

Recent studies of over 400, 000 children worldwide seriously question the
efficacy of artificially adding the chemical fluoride to drinking water.

Dr. J. Yiamouyiannis in 1989 reviewed the tooth decay figures in a survey
conducted by the National Institute of Dental Research involving 39,207
children aged 5-17 years old from 84 areas across the United States
(U.S.)(1). This study showed no difference in decayed, missing and filled
teeth between children living in fluoridated and non- fluoridated areas.

The New Zealand School Dental Service recorded the dental status of 59,331
students aged 12-13 years old in 1987.(2) They concluded that "child dental
decay differences are not closely related to the presence or absence of
water fluoridation" but are more related to demographic, and especially
socio-economic, factors. There is, in fact, "no significant difference in
tooth decay in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas".

Kuopio, Finland initially fluoridated in 1959 but after increasing concerns
about bone damage, fluoridation was discontinued in 1992. A study to
"examine the consequences of the discontinuation on dental health" concluded
that, "in spite of discontinued water fluoridation, no indication of an
increasing trend of caries (tooth decay) could be found in Kuopio".(3)

The most recent World Health Organisation figures for tooth decay in Ireland
also mirror this trend. Tooth decay is decreasing almost as quickly in
non-fluoridated as their fluoridated neighbours. In Europe, figures for 12
year olds place Ireland only sixth for tooth quality.(4) Of the five
countries with better teeth, four do not fluoridate and the U.K. has only
10% fluoridation. This is surprising that Ireland with 73% fluoridation
coverage does not have the best teeth in Europe. Also surprising is the fact
that 98% of Europe says no to water fluoridation!

TOOTH PRESERVING ACID.

The chemical fluoride used to dose our drinking water is called
hydrofluosilicic acid. Through the Freedom of Information Act, I found that
this compound is a waste product of the phosphate fertiliser industry.
Ireland imports this acid from Holland, which ironically, prohibits
fluoridation by law. A recent chemical analysis from Albatros Fertilizers
Ltd., New Ross, Co. Wexford (the importers) shows this fluoride cocktail
contains contaminants such as Arsenic, Lead and Antimony, all of which are
heavy metals.(5) Further evidence indicates that another contaminant
phosphorus pentoxide contains Uranium 238. Incredible as it may seem,
Ireland pumps this acid, controlled by an EU hazardous substances directive,
into our drinking water at the rate of 2000 gallons each day.

According to the Irish Medicines Board, this fluoride acid is not registered
as a medicine, is unlicensed and has never been proved safe or effective for
use on humans. The Eastern Regional Health Area spends £350,000 annually
purchasing this hydrofluosilicic acid from Albatros Fertilizers Ltd., who
import it from Kemira Chemicals, a powerful multinational chemical company
with fertiliser and chemical factories in over 20 countries. The cost of
safely disposing of this fertiliser waste is unknown.


TOXICITY OF FLUORIDE.

In 1943, before fluoridation in U.S., The Journal of the American Medical
Association stated that, "fluorides are general protoplasmic poisons" with
the capacity to "modify the metabolism of cells" by "inhibiting certain
enzyme systems".(6)

More recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified fluoride
as more toxic than lead and slightly less toxic than arsenic. The British
Medical Association in 1994 highlighted the risks of excess fluoride in the
"New Guide to Medicines and Drugs". They concluded, "In large quantities,
fluoride may cause slow poisoning-termed fluorosis. Prolonged intake of
water containing more than 2ppm may lead to mottled or brown discolouration
of the enamel of developing teeth. Very high levels (over 8ppm) may also
lead to bone disorders and degenerative changes on the kidneys, adrenal
glands, heart, central nervous system and reproductive organs".(7)
Considering the water in Ireland is "optimally fluoridated" at 1ppm, this is
a very narrow of margin of safety. It does not take into consideration
persons with large consumption of water e.g. athletes, dialysis patients,
infants.

The same publication states that 0.15mg fluoride is a safe daily intake for
children under 3 months and about 0.5mg up to 2years.(8) Black's Medical
Dictionary advises 2.5 fl. oz. per lb. of body weight of human milk or
equivalent. Therefore, a newborn baby will drink 20 fl. oz. (1 pint) milk
daily. If the parent is using formula baby feed with fluoridated water, one
pint is equivalent to 0.55litres approximately. And in fluoridated areas,
there is 1mg of fluoride in every litre of water drunk. Therefore, a newborn
will receive over 0.5mg fluoride in their daily feed. This is over three
times the limit set by the BMA. Correspondingly, a three-month-old child
weighing around 14lb will drink around 1.75 pints and will therefore receive
0.875 mg of fluoride daily-nearly six times over the limit.

Thus prescribing by thirst is very dangerous as everyone receives a
different dose. Would a doctor prescribe a drug never having known their
patient's age, weight or medical history? The answer is "NO"! This type of
mass medication has lead to professionals and academics alike voicing their
concerns.

Professor Hardy Limeback, consultant to the Canadian Dental Association and
Professor of dentistry at the University of Toronto stated last year,
"Children under three should never use fluoridated toothpaste. Or drink
fluoridated water. And baby formula should never be made up using
(fluoridated) Toronto tap water".(9)

1500 scientists, lawyers and other professionals from U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency have also called for an end to water fluoridation. In 1997
their union stated, "our members review of the body of evidence over the
last eleven years, including animal and human epidemiology studies, indicate
a causal link between fluoride/fluoridation and cancer, genetic damage,
neurological impairment and bone pathology."(10)

In Ireland, Dr. Patrick Flanagan of Environmental Protection Agency,
repeated, "While neither the Agency nor I can remain other than neutral in
the debate as to the pros and cons of fluoridation, it is clear to me that
there is an existing and growing body of medical and/or scientific opinion
supporting the cessation or prohibition of fluoridation".

FLUORIDE DAMGE TO TEETH.

All medical and dental authorities acknowledge that fluoride can cause
dental damage called dental fluorosis. This is structural damage to teeth.
This damage occurs in permanent teeth during the period of tooth development
from infancy to early childhood i.e. birth to 6-8 years old. Dental
fluorosis exhibits as fine white lines, cloudy areas, chalky pitting or
brown staining or mottling in severe cases. Prof. O Mullane (University
College Cork) said on the BBC Spotlight programme of March/April 1996, that
50% of the population living in fluoridated areas have this condition. This
is not a cosmetic condition, it is structural damage and it has
psychological implications for the sufferer. In my experience, the dental
fluorosis sufferer will not smile, as they are ashamed of their appearance.
These kids are teased and traumatised at school about their "bad teeth".
These teeth are usually brittle and more susceptible to wear. Expensive
cosmetic dental treatment is usually the only treatment and is not available
under the Medical Card or PRSI schemes.

Because of the epidemic of dental fluorosis in Canada, in March 2000, the
Canadian Dental Association now advises no fluoride supplements for children
under seven years old.(11)

Dr. John Colquhoun, Principal Dental Officer, Auckland, New Zealand, said,
"Common sense should tell us if a poison circulating in a child's body can
damage tooth-forming cells then other harm is likely".

FLUORIDE DAMAGE TO HEALTH.

Recent, international, peer-reviewed, scientific studies have shown links
between water fluoridation and hip fracture, irritable bowel syndrome,
osteosarcoma, decreased fertility and allergic response.

The Act of law permitting water fluoridation in Ireland, Health
(fluoridation of water supplies) Act 1960 section 6, states, "It shall be
the duty of the Minister to arrange from time to time for such surveys as
appear to him to be desirable to be made as respects the health, or any
particular aspects of the health, of persons" living in fluoridated
areas.(12) There are no health studies in Ireland in thirty-five years of
water fluoridation. Successive health ministers including Minister Martin
have failed to monitor public health. They are only interested in teeth.

WATER FLUORIDATION AND CANCER.

Fluoride has been recognised as mutagenic for many years.(13,14,15) In the
U.S., a comparison between the ten largest fluoridated cities and the ten
largest non-fluoridated cities showed that, while cancer rates had been
similar initially, after 20 years the fluoridated cities had 10 percent more
cancer deaths than the non-fluoridated ones.(16) The U.S. National Cancer
Institute checked these figures and confirmed their validity in 1976. In
Poland, scientists at the Pomeranian Medical Academy reported that as little
as 0.6 parts per million produced chromosomal damage to human white blood
cells.(17)

Following these results, Dr. Dean Burk, the Chief Chemist Emeritus of the
U.S. National Cancer Institute, stated: "In point of fact, fluoride causes
more human cancer death, and causes it faster, than any other chemical".(18)

Dr. Perry Cohn of the New Jersey Department of Health discovered an
epidemiological correlation between osteosarcoma (one of the principal
cancers of childhood) and fluoridation.(19) He surveyed its incidence in
seven counties of New Jersey relative to water fluoridation. He found that,
as demonstrated in Table I, in the fluoridated areas, the incidence of
osteosarcoma in boys under the age of 10 was 4.6 times higher than in the
unfluoridated areas, 3.5 times higher in the 10 to 19 age group and over
twice as high in the 20 to 49 age group.


Table I: Fluoride and osteosarcoma in young males

Seven Counties, New Jersey, 1979-1987

Age Cases Population Rate/100,000

0-9 Fluoridated 2 48,129 4.6
Unfluoridated 1 102,123 1.0

10-19 Fluoridated 10 62,990 17.6
Unfluoridated 7 151,384 5.1

20-49 Fluoridated 5 141,429 3.9
Unfluoridated 5 348,570 1.5



Municipalities, NJ, 1979-1987

Age Cases Population Rate/100,000

0-9 Fluoridated 2 38,654 5.7
Unfluoridated 1 46,708 2.3

10-19 Fluoridated 10 50,297 20.0
Unfluoridated 2 67,678 3.2

20-49 Fluoridated 4 115,367 3.8
Unfluoridated 2 153,713 1.4



Cohn PD. A brief report on the association of drinking water fluoridation
and the incidence of osteosarcoma among young males . N J Dept of Health,
Trenton, New Jersey. Nov 8, 1992.


WATER FLUORIDATION AND HIP FRACTURE.

To date (August, 2000), since 1990, there have been 18 studies investigating
the relationship between fluoride exposure via the water supply (both
natural and artificial) and the incidence of hip fracture in the elderly.
The lead authors of these studies are Jacobson (1990); Cooper (1990, revised
in a 1991 letter to JAMA); Sowers (1991); Keller (1991, unpublished); May
(1991, unpublished); Jacobson (1992); Danielson (1992); Suarez-Almazor
(1993); Jacobson (1993); Cauley (1995); Jacqmin-Gadda (1995, letter to
JAMA); Karagas (1996); Jacqmin-Gadda (1998); Lehmann (1998); Phipps (1999,
unpublished); Li (1999, unpublished); Hellier (2000), and Hegmann ( 2000,
abstract).(20) Of these 18 studies, 4 are unpublished, 1 is only available
as an abstract, 2 appear as letters to the Journal of the American Medical
Association. Of the 18, 10 studies show an association between fluoride
exposure and increased hip fracture, but 8 do not.

Most recently, Kurttio et al. studied over 144,000 elderly Finish people
admitted to hospitals with their first hip fracture.(21) The Finnish found
that women aged 50-64 exposed to water fluoride levels greater than
1.5mg/litre had significantly more hip fracture than similar women exposed
to fluoride at 0.1mg/litre. Finland ceased water fluoridation in 1992.

In 1992, Danielson et al investigated the correlation in the elderly
population of Utah, U.S.(22) They concluded, "we found a small but
significant increase in the risk of hip fracture in both men and women
exposed to artificial fluoridation at 1ppm".

WATER FLUORIDATION AND GASTRO-INTESTINAL CHANGES.

Prof. A.K. Susheela, a histocytochemist and director of Fluorosis Research
and Rural Development Foundation in India has over 70 studies on the adverse
health effects of fluoride. In 1998, Prof. Susheela presented her evidence
to the U.K. Health Minister in Westminister. In her presentation, she
highlighted the gastro-intestinal changes from excess fluoride. This
"non-ulcer dyspeptic" complaints include nausea, vomiting, cramps, gas,
constipation followed by diarrhoea. She concluded that, "such symptoms were
related to fluoride ingested via water, food or even dental products".

Upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy using fibre-optic endoscope and punch
biopsy material examined under an electron microscope revealed, (1) loss of
microvilli on the cell surfaces, (2) loss of mucus in the mucosa and (3)
"cracked clay" of the cell surfaces at 1ppm fluoride in drinking water.

WATER FLUORIDATION AND DECREASED FERTILITY.

In several studies, the toxicity of fluoride includes detrimental effects on
human sperm and reduction in testosterone in skeletal fluorosis
patients.(23,24) A further review of fluoride toxicity showed decreased
fertility in most animal species studied.

In 1994, S.C. Freni, initiated a study to see whether fluoride could also
affect human birth rates.(25) His results concluded, "most regions studied
showed an association of decreasing Total Fertility Rate (TFR) with
increasing fluoride levels in water. There is no evidence that this outcome
resulted from selection bias, inaccurate data, or improper analytical
methods. However, the study is one that used population means rather than
data on individual women. Whether or not the fluoride effect on the
fertility rate found at the county level also applies to individual women
remains to be investigated".


CONCLUSION.

In light of this new scientific evidence and based on the freedom to choose,
water fluoridation is now unsafe, ineffective and undemocratic.



Dr. Don Mac Auley B.D.S.

Dental Surgeon.

References:

(1) Yiamouyiannis J. NIDR study shows no relationship between fluoridation
and tooth decay rate, American Laboratory, 1989, May, p.9-10.

(2) Colquhoun J, Child dental health dental differences in New Zealand,
Community Health Studies, 1987, XI:2, p85-90.

(3) Seppa L et al, Caries frequency in permanent teeth before and after
discontinuation of water fluoridation in Kuopio, Finland, Community Dental
Oral Epidemiology, 1998 August, 26:4, 252-62.

(4) Marthaler T.M. The prevalence of dental caries in Europe 1990-1995,
Caries Res., 1996; 30: 237-255.

(5) Fluoride Free Water. Internet site.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~fluoridefree/CampaignUpdate/Analysis.htm

(6) "Editorial: Chronic fluorine intoxication", Journal of the American
Medical Association, Vol., 123, p.150(1943).

(7) New Guide to Medicines and Drugs, British Medical Association, 1994,
Third edition.

(8) Information to be used in conjunction with British Medical Association,
"New Guide to Medicines and Drugs". Third Edition, 1994.

(9) Downey, Michael. "A crack appears in the fluoride front", The Toronto
Star, April 25, 1999.

(10) O' Doherty, Gemma. "Fluoride in our water: are you brushing with
danger?" The Irish Independent, March 29, 2000.

(11) "Considerations re: Fluoride Supplementation", approved by Resolution
2000.06, Canadian Dental Association Board of Governors, March 2000.

(12) Health (fluoridation of water supplies) Act 1960, section 6.

(13) Klein W, et al . DNA repair and environmental substances. Zeitschrift
fur Angewandte Bader-und Klimaheilkunde . 1977; 24 (3): 218-223.

(14) Mohamed A, Chandler ME. Cytological effects of sodium fluoride on mice.
Fluoride . 1982; 15 (3): 110-18

(15) Jagiello G, Lin J-S. Sodium fluoride as potential mutagen in mammalian
eggs. Archive Environmental Health. 1974; 29: 230-5.

(16) Yiamouyiannis JA, Burk D. Fluoridation of public water systems and the
cancer death rate in humans. Presented at the 67th Annual Meeting of the
American Society of Biologists and Chemists and the American Society of
Experimental Biologists. June 1976.

(17) Jachimczak D, Skotarczak B. The effect of fluorine and lead ions on the
chromosomes of human leucocytes in vitro. Genetica Polonica . 1978; 19 (3):
353-7.

(18) Yiamouyannis JA. Fluoride: The Aging Factor . Health Action Press,
Delaware, Ohio. 1983.

(19) Cohn PD. A brief report on the association of drinking water
fluoridation and the incidence of osteosarcoma among young males . N J Dept
of Health, Trenton, New Jersey. Nov 8, 1992.

(20) Hip Fracture Studies

Cauley, J., P. Murphy, et al. (1995). "Effects of fluoridated drinking water
on bone mass and fractures: the study of osteoporotic fractures." J Bone Min
Res 10(7): 1076-86.
Cooper, C., C. Wickham, et al. (1991). "Water fluoridation and hip
fracture." Journal American Medical Association (JAMA) 266: 513-514 (letter,
a reanalysis of data presented in 1990 paper).
Cooper, C., C. Wickham, et al. (1990). "Water fluoride concentration and
fracture of the proximal femur." Journal of Epidemiology and Community
Health 44: 17-19.
Danielson, C., J. L. Lyon, et al. (1992). "Hip fractures and fluoridation in
Utah's elderly population." JAMA 268(6): 746-748.
Hegmann, K.T. et al (2000) the Effects of Fluoridation on Degenerative Joint
Disease (DJD) and Hip Fractures.Abstract #71, of the 33rd Annual Meeting of
the Society For Epidemiological research, June 15-17, 2000. Published in a
Supplement of American Journal of Epidemiology.
Hillier, S., C. Copper, et al. (2000). "Fluoride in drinking water and risk
of hip fracture in the UK: a case control study." The Lancet 335: 265-269.
Jacobsen, S., J. Goldberg, et al. (1992). "The association between water
fluoridation and hip fracture among white women and men aged 65 years and
older; a national ecologic study." Annals of Epidemiology 2: 617-626.
Jacobsen, S., J. Goldberg, et al. (1990). "Regional variation in the
incidence of hip fracture: US white women aged 65 years and olders." JAMA
264(4): 500-2.
Jacobsen, S.J. et al (1993). Hip Fracture Incidence Before and After the
Fluoridation of the Public Water Supply, Rochester, Minnesota. American
Journal of Public Health, 83, 743-745.
Jacqmin-Gadda, H. (1995). "Fluorine concentration in drinking water and
fractures in the elderly." JAMA 273: 775-776 (letter).
Jacqmin-Gadda, H., A. Fourrier, et al. (1998). "Risk factors for fractures
in the elderly." Epidemiology 9(4): 417-423. (An elaboration of the 1995
study referred to in the JAMA letter).
Karagas,M.R. et al (1996). "Patterns of Fracture among the United States
Elderly: Geographic and Fluoride Effects". Annals of Epidemiology, 6 (3),
209-216.
Keller, C. (1991) Fluorides in drinking water. Unpublished results.
Discussed in Gordon, S.L. and Corbin, S.B,(1992) Summary of Workshop on
Drinking Water Fluoride Influence on Hip Fracture on Bone Health.
Osteoporosis Int. 2, 109-117.
Kurttio, P., N. Gustavsson, et al. (1999). "Exposure to natural fluoride in
well water and hip fracture: A cohort analysis in Finland." American Journal
of Epidemiology, 150(8): 817-824.
Lehmann R. et al (1998). Drinking Water Fluoridation: Bone Mineral Density
and Hip Fracture Incidence. Bone, 22, 273-278.
Li, Y., C. Liang, et al. (1999). "Effect of Long-Term Exposure to Fluoride
in Drinking Water on Risks of Bone Fractures." Submitted for publication.
Contact details: Dr. Yiming Li, Loma Linda School of Dentistry, Loma Linda,
California, Phone 1-909-558-8069, Fax 1-909-558-0328 and e-mail,
Yli@sd.llu.edu
May, D.S. and Wilson, M.G. Hip fractures in relation to water fluoridation:
an ecologic analysis. Unpublished data, discussed in Gordon, S.L. and Corbin
S.B.,(1992), Summary of Workshop on Drinking Water Fluoride Inflruenbce on
Hip Fracture on Bone Health. Osteoporosis Int. 2, 109-117.
Phipps, K. R. (1999). Community water fluoridation, bone mineral density and
fractures. R01DE10814-02. HSR/96101800. USA, Oregon Health Sciences
University, 611 SW Campus Dr, Portland, OR 97201, IR: (503) 494-8895,.
199309: National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) - Grant: Noncompeting
Continuation (5). To be published in the British Medical Journal.
Sowers, M., M. Clark, et al. (1991). "A prospective study of bone mineral
content and fracture in communities with differential fluoride exposure."
American Journal of Epidemiology 133: 649-660.
Suarez-Almazor, M., G. Flowerdew, et al. (1993). "The fluoridation of
drinking water and hip fracture hospitalization rates in two Canadian
connunities." American Journal of Public Health, 83: 689-693.


(21) Kurttio, P., N. Gustavsson, et al. (1999). "Exposure to natural
fluoride in well water and hip fracture: A cohort analysis in Finland."
American Journal of Epidemiology, 150(8): 817-824.

(22) Danielson, C., J. L. Lyon, et al. "Hip fractures and fluoridation in
Utah's elderly population." Journal of American Medical Association, 1992.
268(6): 746-748.

(23) Susheela AK, Jethanandani P. "Circulating testosterone levels in
skeletal fluorosis patients". J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1996; 34: 183-9.

(24) Chinoy NJ , Narayana MV. "In vitro fluoride toxicity in human
spermatozoa". Fluoride 1994; 27: 231-232.

(25) Freni SC , "Exposure to high fluoride concentrations in drinking water
is associated with decreased birth rates". Journal of Toxicology and
Environmental Health 1994; 42: 109-12.


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