Dr. James Beck responds today to Andre Picards useless comments on water fluoridation in the Globe & Mail. To: Andre Picard, Globe & Mail Q & A (print) Re: Water fluoridation, Canada Q&A Andre Picard has used his response to a question about calcification in arteries possibly being caused by fluoride to make unsubstantiated claims about fluoridation of public water supplies. It is not certain that fluoride causes plaques and it may be that the fluoride follows the calcification rather than the reverse. However there are recent publications showing other vascular abnormalities associated with fluoride. More disturbing are the claims that fluoridation prevents dental caries (cavities) and is safe. He repeats slogans of promoters of fluoridation, even direct quotes not attributed. In fact there is no credible evidence—for example, a randomized control trial—that shows an association between fluoridation and lower prevalence of cavities. In contrast there is considerable evidence of no such association. Mr. Picard dismisses the evidence of a relation between higher exposure to fluoride and lower IQ as “tenuous”. There are now over forty studies on this, of variable quality and reliability. The most recent is still in press. All together the evidence for substantial lowering of IQ and other indicators of cognitive functions is fairly strong, strong enough that we should be limiting exposure until we are sure it is safe. Similarly there is credible evidence for bone cancer. Mr. Picard mentions “low-dose sodium fluoride added to drinking water”. Generally water fluoridation is done with hydrofluorosilicic acid supplied unpurified and containing contaminants such as mercury and arsenic. And the dose is not controlled. The concentration in water is controlled but individuals get hugely varying doses. We need more responsible discussion of fluoridation, not blind acceptance of “authorities” and dismissal of unwanted facts. James S. Beck, MD, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Medical Biophysics, University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 23:09:59 +0000
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