USA - 2 restaurant owners want fluoride out of water

June 08, 2009 2 restaurant owners want fluoride out of water
Restaurant owners Igor Rakuz, left, who owns GRO Cafe, and Oliver Outerbridge, who owns Bonobo, today kicked off a petition campaign to force a referendum in the towns served by the Portland Water District that would ask voters if they want to remove fluoride from the water system. The grassroots group they're heading is called Fluoride Leave Our Water, or FLOW.
The press conference took place at GRO and and was attended by a number of local reporters. Here Oliver tells the cameras that he learned the local water was fluoridated after he joined the Take Back the Tap campaign, which advocates against serving bottled water in restaurants. He called ending fluoridation the "real way to take back the tap."
Fluoride was first added to the water in 1997, after residents voted to do so. The practice remains controversial, with the Maine community of Bar Harbor recently opting to remove fluoride from its public water.
Oliver cited the link between fluoride in drinking water and diseases such as cancer and thyroid problems.

"It's a form of mass medication," he said. "We do not feel mass medication is constitutional or ethical."

He added "fluoride only works topically, not when you ingest it."

This campaign is sure to attract a lot of attention, with natural food moms on one side and medical doctors on the other. It's interesting that these two restaurant owners, both of whom are known for emphasizing sustainable food in in their eateries, have joined the fight. Look for FLOW volunteers with petitions when you go to the polls tomorrow.
Posted by Avery Yale Kamila at 01:19 PM

Comments
Fluoride not reducing cavities, studies show

"There is weak and inconsistent evidence that the use of fluoride supplements prevents dental caries [cavities] in primary teeth," according to a systematic review of fluoride supplement research published in the November 2008 Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA).

The authors could find only one study, from China, showing any fluoride cavity-preventing benefit to primary teeth and that study was probably biased with a high withdrawal rate, the authors write.

Mild -to-moderate dental fluorosis (white spotted and/or yellow teeth) is a significant fluoride supplement side effect, they report.

Fluoride supplements, although a prescription drug, were never FDA [Food and Drug Administration] tested for safety or effectiveness because sodium fluoride was on the market pre-1938 before FDA testing laws were enacted. (1)

In 2007, the American Dental Association (ADA) reported on its web site that fluoride supplements put children six and under at significant risk of permanently discolored teeth; but never shared that information with the American public, pediatricians or MD's who still prescribe fluoride supplements to toddlers. (2)

"This review confirmed that, in non-fluoridated communities, the use of fluoride supplements during the first 6 years of life is associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing dental fluorosis, write researchers Ismail & Bandekar and first published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, February 1999, (3) but posted to the ADA's website July 2007.

Fluoride supplements sought to achieve a similar effect as fluoridation of the water supplies when it was believed that ingested fluoride reduced tooth decay. However, the Centers for Disease Control now reports that fluoride's purported beneficial effects are topical (4). Swallowing fluoride only exposes children to fluoride's adverse health effects ( http://www.FluorideAction.Net/health ), such as dental fluorosis.

"So there is no good reason to swallow fluoride via supplements or the water supply," says attorney Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. "Further, fluoride is neither a nutrient nor required for healthy teeth. Poor diets decay teeth and fluoride won't stop that," says Beeber.

Even the American Dental Association admits that no fluoride supplements should be prescribed to children who aren't at high risk of cavities.

Studies link dental fluorosis to children's kidney damage (5) and bone fractures (6).

"While fluoride ingestion is proclaimed a significant cavity reducer, there is no valid science to support that," says Beeber.

Up to 48% of school children sport dental fluorosis, the outward sign of fluoride toxicity, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (7) Yet tooth decay is growing in our most fluoride-exposed population - toddlers, according to CDC data.

In the Fall 1999 Journal of Public Health Dentistry, dental researcher and former dental journal editor Brian A. Burt, Ph.D., M.P.H., B.D.Sc., University of Michigan Emeritus Professor, writes:

"It is therefore concluded that the risks of using supplements in infants and young children outweigh the benefits. Because alternative forms of fluoride for high-risk individuals exist, fluoride supplements should no longer be used for young children in North America."(8)

Doubts persist about fluoridation also: "It may...be that fluoridation of drinking water does not have a strong protective effect against early childhood caries (ECC) reported Pollick and colleagues in the Winter 2003 Journal of Public Health Dentistry.

Casamassimo and colleagues report in the June 2009 JADA that high levels of ECC persist despite water fluoridation and use of fluoridated toothpaste. (11)

A study in the Fall 2008 Journal of Public Health Dentistry reveals that cavity-free teeth have little to do with fluoride intake. Researchers report, "The benefits of fluoride are mostly topical…while fluorosis is clearly more dependent on fluoride intake."

"Fluoridation began with the untested belief that ingested fluoride prevented tooth decay in small children, only. Evidence-based-dentistry now shows that swallowing fluoride poses dental risks without benefits to the very children fluoridation was supposed to help," says Beeber. Fluoridation must be stopped immediately and parents and physicians must be notified of these new scientific developments."


References:

1) August 2000 letter from NJ Assemblyman Kelly to Senator Robert Smith http://www.fluoridealert.org/fda.htm

2) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/ebd/reviews/fluoride_supplements.asp

3) "Fluoride supplements and fluorosis: a meta-analysis," Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology, 1999 Feb;27(1):48-56, by Ismail & Bandekar .

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=10086926

4) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5014a1.htm

5) "Dose-effect relationship between drinking water fluoride levels and damage to liver and kidney functions in children," Environmental Research,2007 Jan;103(1):112-6. Epub 2006 Jul 10, by Xiong, et. al

http://tinyurl.com/34lj92

6) "Dental and Early-State Skeletal Fluorosis in Children Induced by Fluoride in Brick-Tea," Fluoride 2005;38(1):44-47 Cao, et. al
http://www.fluorideresearch.org/381/files/38144-47.pdf

7) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/figures/s403a1t23.gif

8) "The case for eliminating the use of dietary fluoride supplements
for young children," Journal of Public Health Dentistry, Fall 1999, by
Burt

http://tinyurl.com/2bnoff

9) Journal of the American Dental Association, June 2009, Guest Editorial

"Fluoridated Toothpaste and the Prevention of Early Childhood Caries

A Failure to Meet the Needs of Our Young." by Peter M. Milgrom, DDS, Colleen E. Huebner, PhD, MPH and Kiet A. Ly, MD, MPH

10) http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?typ=fulltext&file=CRE2006040001066

11) Journal of the American Dental Association, June 2009, "Beyond the dmft: The Human and Economic Cost of Early Childhood Caries," by Casamassimo, Thikkurissy, Edelstein, Maiorini


Posted by nyscof
June 8, 2009 02:29 PM


Water fluoridation typically reduces children's cavities by 30%. Just guessing, but our poorer citizens would probably prefer fluoridation to additional dental bills. Our richer ones are better positioned to buy bottled water. And to cope with the increase in cavities now linked to that lifestyle choice.

Posted by hannah holmes
June 8, 2009 02:33 PM


Fluoridation Opposition: Scientific, Respectable & Growing Politically Popular

Over 2,490 professionals urge the US Congress to stop water fluoridation until Congressional hearings are conducted, citing scientific evidence that fluoridation, long promoted to fight tooth decay, is ineffective and has serious health risks. See statement: http://www.fluorideaction.org/statement.august.2007.html.

Also, eleven Environmental Protection Agency employee unions representing over 7000 environmental and public health professionals called for a moratorium on drinking water fluoridation programs across the country, and have asked EPA management to recognize fluoride as posing a serious risk of causing cancer in people. (1a)

Join them at http://congress.FluorideAction.Net

Last election day, 53 US cities rejected fluoridation joining a growing list of communities saying "No," to fluoridation.

-- The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Canada’s leading voice on environmental health issues, released a statement opposing fluoridation.

-- The National Kidney Foundation dropped its fluoridation support replacing it with this caution: “Individuals with CKD [Chronic Kidney Disease] should be notified of the potential risk of fluoride exposure.”

-- Researchers reporting in the Oct 6 2007 British Medical Journal indicate that fluoridation never was proven safe or effective and may be unethical.

-- “A qualitative review of ...studies found a consistent and strong association between the exposure to fluoride and low IQ,” concluded Tang el al., in "Fluoride and Children’s Intelligence: A Meta-analysis” in Biological Trace Element Research

-- Scientific American editors wrote in January 2008, "Some recent studies suggest that over-consumption of fluoride can raise the risks of disorders affecting teeth, bones, the brain and the thyroid gland"

-- Dr. A. K. Susheela, a leading fluoride expert, explains in a video why US physicians overlook fluoride as a possible cause of diseases commonly caused by fluoride. http://tinyurl.com/Susheela

-- A study in the Fall 2008 Journal of Public Health Dentistry reveals that cavity-free teeth have little to do with fluoride intake. Researchers report, "The benefits of fluoride are mostly topical…while fluorosis is clearly more dependent on fluoride intake."

-- Research published in Biological Trace Element Research (April 2009). indicates that blood fluoride levels were significantly higher in patients with osteosarcoma than in control groups. (13) Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, occurs mostly in children and young adults

A Tennessee State legislator, Dr. Joey Hensley, who is also an MD is urging all Tennessee Water Districts to stop fluoridation, reported a Tennessee newspaper on 11/29/08. At least 30 Tennessee water districts have already complied with his request.

For more info
http://www.FluorideAction.Net


Posted by Fluoride Action Network
June 8, 2009 02:35 PM


I am undertaking the same campaign in the Midcoast. How do I get in contact with someone from FLOW about the possibility of making this a statewide petition.

Posted by Laura Amey
June 8, 2009 05:37 PM


Fluoride causes hypothyroidism. In December 2007 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and now that I avoid fluoridated water and all products containing it after making considerable changes to my lifestyle, I have NORMAL thyroid activity. Also now that I have my METABOLISM back I am no longer OVERWEIGHT as fluoride impairs thyroid function for normal healthy individuals - I battled with weight and fatigue for many years PRIOR to my diagnosis.

Posted by Lesley McMillan
June 8, 2009 06:41 PM


Well done you guys. Fluoride is a total scam, It doesnt work and its a dangerous poison useful only for killing rats and roaches. Of course corrupt politicians make money out of selling it so dont vote for them either. Good luck with your campaign.
Brian Jackson
Friends of the Earth

Posted by Brian Jackson
June 8, 2009 08:54 PM


There are many reasons to oppose fluoridation of water systems:

1. Government should not dictate that everyone must take a chemical against their will.

2. It is insanely inefficient with 99.5% of fluoridated water going down the drain in toilets, washing machines, etc., wasting 99.5% of the chemical cost. People drink only 0.5.% of the water they use. A plan to give away fluoride tablets free would be much, much cheaper.

3. It is not effective in reducing cavities. Most countries in Europe no longer fluoridate water systems. They are 98% fluoride free, yet the World Health Organization reports that nine of those countries have better cavity rates than any fluoridated country. Many other research reports studying large groups of children from Tucson, New Zealand, India and Japan show the same ineffectiveness.

4. The toxic waste chemical, Hydrofluorosilicic Acid, is collected from the smokestacks of companies and sold to communities. It would be very expensive to process such waste, and it is illegal to dump it into our environment. So, hundreds of thousands of tons each year in the U.S. ends up in our environment anyway.

5. The main reason to oppose fluoridation is the very severe health problems it causes, 50% builds up in the bones, brain, and glands. Please read the following article on bone cancer in young boys published in a prestigious scientific journal.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Another Study Links Fluoride to Bone Cancer-----http://ca.sys-con.com/node/940747
Apr. 29, 2009

NEW YORK, -- Blood fluoride levels were significantly higher in patients with osteosarcoma than in control groups, according to research published in Biological Trace Element Research (April 2009). Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, occurs mostly in children and young adults.


This reinforces a 2006 published Harvard study by Bassin showing a link between water fluoridation and osteosarcoma in young boys.(2)

and

A 1992 New Jersey Department of Health study shows osteosarcoma rates higher among young males in fluoridated vs. unfluoridated regions of New Jersey.(3)


Posted by James Reeves
June 9, 2009 02:31 AM


There are many reasons to oppose fluoridation of water systems:

1. Government should not dictate that everyone must take a chemical against their will.

2. It is insanely inefficient with 99.5% of fluoridated water going down the drain in toilets, washing machines, etc., wasting 99.5% of the chemical cost. People drink only 0.5.% of the water they use. A plan to give away fluoride tablets free would be much, much cheaper.

3. It is not effective in reducing cavities. Most countries in Europe no longer fluoridate water systems. They are 98% fluoride free, yet the World Health Organization reports that nine of those countries have better cavity rates than any fluoridated country. Many other research reports studying large groups of children from Tucson, New Zealand, India and Japan show the same ineffectiveness.

4. The toxic waste chemical, Hydrofluorosilicic Acid, is collected from the smokestacks of companies and sold to communities. It would be very expensive to process such waste, and it is illegal to dump it into our environment. So, hundreds of thousands of tons each year in the U.S. ends up in our environment anyway.

5. The main reason to oppose fluoridation is the very severe health problems it causes, 50% builds up in the bones, brain, and glands. Please read the following article on bone cancer in young boys published in a prestigious scientific journal.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Another Study Links Fluoride to Bone Cancer-----http://ca.sys-con.com/node/940747
Apr. 29, 2009

NEW YORK, -- Blood fluoride levels were significantly higher in patients with osteosarcoma than in control groups, according to research published in Biological Trace Element Research (April 2009). Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, occurs mostly in children and young adults.


This reinforces a 2006 published Harvard study by Bassin showing a link between water fluoridation and osteosarcoma in young boys.(2)

and

A 1992 New Jersey Department of Health study shows osteosarcoma rates higher among young males in fluoridated vs. unfluoridated regions of New Jersey.(3)


Posted by James Reeves
June 9, 2009 02:36 AM