Canada - What Would Terry Fox Think of Artificial Water Fluoridation?

Tis that time of year again, when parents are asked to open up their wallets, and donate money towards The Terry Fox Run for cancer research. I have fond memories of participating in The Terry Fox Run when I was a child. 

For those not familiar with Terry Fox’s story: Terry was a young athlete who was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer at age 18. He lost his leg to the disease. In effort to raise funds for cancer research, he started a cross country marathon. He soldiered on for 143 days, covering 5,373 km. Terry Fox is remembered as a Canadian Hero 

Thanks to cancer research, a study in the May 2006 issue of Cancer Cause and Control, found that boys who drink fluoridated water are at a 5 fold increased risk of bone cancer. As a mother of two boys, this concerns me. 

Also concerning is the grade of fluoride we’re using, which is unfiltered (co-contaminate ALERT). There is a long, concerning list of co-contaminates listed on the NSF Fact Sheet on Fluoridation, the most common is arsenic (present in 50% of samples). Arsenic is an undisputed carcinogen. Even Health Canada will admit that when it comes to arsenic, none is best. 

Not surprisingly, British Columbia (where Terry grow up), has mostly stopped it’s water fluoridation programs. Today less than 4% of British Columbians are drinking artificially fluoridated water, compared to about 70% of Ontarians. British Columbians also enjoy a higher life expectancy, reduced health care costs per capita, and less dental caries. 

In honour of Terry Fox, carrying on tradition and a pursuit of conformity, we will be participating in this year’s run. We will also soldier on in our efforts to stop the fluoridation of London’s water.