Dear Bartcop:
I am engineer with the California Department of
Toxic Substances Control, a state agency
which enforces federal law regarding the handling
of hazardous waste. I've been with this
agency for eighteen years, and I know a few things
about waste materials and their toxicology.
I also know a few things about the politics and
money involved with hazardous waste.
First off, before we get into fluoridation, let's
start with something we all know about: Lead.
Lead, the metal, is toxic. We all know
that. In fact, scientists have known about the toxicity
of lead since at least the beginning of the 20th
century. Leaded paint and leaded gasoline have
polluted our environment and we are still paying
the price with kid poisoned from eating lead paint,
soils contaminated from years of leaded gasoline
exhaust, etc.
All this could, and should have been avoided,
right? France actually banned the use of leaded
paint in the 1920s. But it took until the
1970s for the United States to get around to it, despite solid
evidence that its use was detrimental.
Leaded gasoline was also in wide use until the early 1980s.
I give this example because most people don't
believe that the government would allow toxic
materials into the environment if it was a obvious
health hazard. Wrong.
The history of how we came to be adding fluoride
to the water is long and twisted.
The bottom line is that to dispose of the stuff
properly is very expensive.
On the other hand, to sell it to water providers
turns a profit.
Believe me, the stuff is toxic and is not good
for you. It weakens bones and causes nerve damage,
for a start. These effects are subtle at
low dosages and may take many years to show signs.
Unfortunately, nobody is doing toxicological
studies on the long term effects.
Of course, your dentist will swear that the stuff
is great for teeth and won't hurt you.
But how much education does your dentist have
in toxicology, or chemistry? Not much.
I like my dentist, he's a great guy. But
on this subject, I go to more informed sources.
Consider that fluoride gels are used to reduce
teeth sensitivity. Why, because the fluoride deadens
the nerves around your teeth. It doesn't
help your gums or your teeth. Your teeth are sensitive
because your gums are receding from lack of good
care. The fluoride only masks the problem.
Water fluoridation is medication of a water supply.
It does nothing to make the water safer.
In fact it adds a significant risk.
People have died when the fluoride machines went wacko and
overdose the water supply. This occurred
in Alaska a few years back. Morally, the practice stinks.
Legally it should stink. However, people
who have brought suits against the government for things
like dental fluorosis, which is a proven "cosmetic
effect", causing teeth to look stained, have been told
that it is their choice to drink tap water, and
if they don't like it they could have bought bottled water.
Wow.
There is a good website on this subject:
A lot of solid information and endorsements for
the ending of water fluoridation.
For instance, the United Nations and the Sierra
Club have taken positions against water fluoridation.
Another interesting fact one will see on the
site is that most European countries do not fluoridate their
water and have laws in place prohibiting it.
If you still think fluoride is good for you, read
the label on your toothpaste.
There is enough fluoride in there to kill.
And the toothpaste with the highest concentration
is the stuff the make for kids, Aquagel.
Get informed and stay healthy.
Andrew B-H
Hazardous Substances Engineer