The debate over the benefits and risks of fluoride continues, as RFK Jr. — incoming President Trump's pick for Health and Human Services Secretary — seeks to remove it from America's water supply.
Fluoride is an industrial waste linked to arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, and loss of IQ. Neurodevelopmental disorders And thyroid disease,” RFK wrote in a post on X in November.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics on January 6 found another relationship between fluoride exposure and children's IQ.
RFK Jr. Calls to remove fluoride from drinking water spark controversy
Fluoridated water has been used “for decades,” noted study co-author Kayla Taylor, who is based in North Carolina. Reduce tooth cavities And improve oral health.
Fluoride exposure has been linked to a variety of negative health effects, but it benefits oral health. (Istock)
“However, there is concern about it Pregnant women Children get fluoride from many sources, including drinking water, foods and beverages with added water, tea, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash. Their total exposure to fluoride is very high and may affect the neurological development of the fetus, infants, and children. Fox News Digital.
the New searchThe researchers, led by scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), analyzed 74 epidemiological studies on children's IQ and fluoride exposure.
Studies have measured fluoride in drinking water and urine in 10 countries, including Canada, China, Denmark, India, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. (None of which were made in the United States)
The meta-analysis found a “statistically significant association” between high and low fluoride exposure Intelligence scores for childrenaccording to Taylor.
“(It showed) that the more fluoride a child is exposed to, the lower the child’s IQ will be than if he or she had not been exposed to it,” she said.
Scientists found a “statistically significant association” between high fluoride exposure and lower IQ scores in children. (Istock)
Taylor emphasized that these findings were consistent with six previous analyses, all of which reported the same “statistically significant inverse associations” between fluoride exposure and children's IQs.
The research found that for every 1 mg/L increase in urinary fluoride, there was a 1.63 point decrease in IQ.
“Safe” exposure levels.
the Global Health Organization (WHO) has set 1.5 mg/L as the “safe upper limit” for fluoride in drinking water.
“There is concern that pregnant women and children are getting fluoride from too many sources.”
Meanwhile, the US Public Health Service recommends a fluoride concentration of 0.7 mg/L in drinking water.
“There were not enough data to determine whether exposure to 0.7 mg/L of fluoride in drinking water affects children's IQ,” Taylor noted.
The researcher noted that higher levels of the chemical can be found in community wells and water serving nearly three million people in the United States.
She encouraged pregnant women and parents of young children to pay attention to their total fluoride intake.
Nearly three million people have access to wells and community water that contain fluoride levels higher than those suggested by the World Health Organization. (Istock)
“If their water is fluoridated, they may want to replace tap water with low-fluoride bottled water, e.g Pure water“And limit exposure from other sources, such as dental products or black tea,” she said.
“Parents can use low-fluoride bottled water to mix with infant formula powder and limit the use of fluoridated toothpaste by young children.”
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While the research was not intended to address the broader public health impacts of water fluoridation in the United States, Taylor suggested that the findings could help inform people. Future research About the effect of fluoride on children's health.
Dental health expert shares warnings
In response to this study and other previous research, Dr. Eli Phillips, DDS, an oral health educator based in… Austin, TexasFox News Digital said it does not support water fluoridation.
The study researcher encouraged parents of young children to pay attention to their total fluoride intake. (Istock)
“I join those who strongly oppose public water fluoridation, and wonder why our water supply is still fluoridated in the 21st century,” she wrote in an email.
“There are non-fluoridated cities and countries where the public has high levels of fluoride Oral healthWhich in some cases appears to be better than fluorinated ones.”
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Phillips described the debate over fluoride as “confusing” even among dentists, with the American Dental Association (ADA) advocating the use of fluoride for cavity prevention by fluoridating water, toothpaste and mouthwash — “sometimes in high concentrations.”
Fluoride is used in water, toothpaste, and mouthwash to help prevent tooth decay. (Istock)
“(But) biological (holistic) dentists generally encourage their patients to fear fluoride and avoid using it altogether, even if their teeth are damaged by tooth decay,” she said.
“Topical fluoride is beneficial, while systemic consumption poses risks.”
Phillips encouraged the audience to consider different fluoride compounds, the effect of different concentrations and the “dramatic difference” between applying fluoride topically and ingesting it.
“Topical fluoride is beneficial, while systemic consumption poses risks,” she warned.
“Individuals must take their own responsibility Oral health Using natural and informed strategies.”
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The study received funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Intramural Research Program.
