NZ Fluoride Report Inept & Misleading, International Experts

Press Release: Fluoride Free New ZealandScoop | 3 Dec 2014

NZ Fluoride Report Inept and Misleading Say International Experts

Press Release: Fluoride Free NZ
1 December 2014

An international panel of science and medical professionals has published a critical analysis of the 2014 New Zealand fluoridation report, Health effects of water fluoridation – A review of the scientific evidence.

The peer reviewed critique published today outlines fluoridation failures by the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor and the Royal Society of NZ. It concludes that their report fails to address serious questions of efficacy and safety for the estimated 70% of the NZ population in fluoride toxicity risk groups including:
• Bottle fed infants
• Children under 8 years old
• People with impaired kidney function
• People who drink a lot of fluoridated water
• People who have high fluoride intake from other sources such as diet and toothpaste

On the questions of risk, specifically those related to dental fluorosis, lead concentrations, IQ, osteosarcoma and kidney function, the NZ report is again, an unacceptable failure.

Included in the critique is a detailed analysis of the report preparations. This correspondence was obtained under the NZ Official Information Act.
Many readers may be shocked to see the official correspondence shows:
• The report was prepared to a political timeframe for a political purpose
• They decided not to conduct a robust scientific review because they wanted to publish the report in time to allay concerns being raised by councillors
• The panel was handpicked
• The report was hastily prepared
• The review of adverse health effects, risk and toxicity was perfunctory and superficial
This is a sad indictment of how the people defending and promoting this outdated practice are more interested in protecting the fluoridation policy and professional reputations than protecting public health.
Dr Stan Litras has called on the incoming NZ Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman to call a moratorium on water fluoridation. Dr Litras, one of the contributors to the critique, is the Convener of the Fluoride Information Network for Dentists.

The international contributors and peer reviewers for this critique are considered experts on fluoridation science. They join thousands of scientists, physicians, dentists, and other professionals who have questioned the safety and efficacy of fluoridation for decades, based on the available evidence.

Earlier this year, the world’s oldest and most prestigious medical journal, The Lancet, published a study which classified fluoride as a neurotoxin. In light of this and the Harvard fluoride IQ meta- analyais, the public health advocacy and education group Fluoride Free New Zealand is calling on the NZ Central Govt to hold a public Parliamentary Symposium with experts on fluoride toxicity, as the recent critique neglected this very important part of fluoride risks and known harm.

Israel has ended fluoridation this year and 11 councils in the Irish Republic, representing more than 1.5 million Irish citizens, have voted this year to end fluoridation. A steady stream of hundreds of local councils in the US and Canada continue to vote against fluoridation. Only 4% of the world is still fluoridating water supplies.

Evidence of fluoride toxicity and compromised cognitive function due to fluoride ingestion require a moratorium on fluoridation in New Zealand. No safety studies have ever been conducted on fluoridation, anywhere in the world, ever. Contrary to unsubstantiated statements from Sir Peter Gluckman, head of the NZ 2014 Fluoridation report, the science on fluoridation is far from being settled.