NYS Health Officials Disregard Own Fluoride Cautionary Advice

NEW YORK, March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In 1990, the New York State Department of Health (DoH) published a study, "Fluoride: Benefits and Risks of Exposure," alerting officials that fluoride can be harmful to kidney patients, diabetics and those with fluoride hypersensitivity even at "optimal" levels.(1)  But the advice went unheeded, research left undone and today's claims of safety ring hollow, says NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.

Twelve million New Yorkers drink fluoridated water (8.4 million in NYC).  As of January 2011, the NYS DoH's website incorrectly claims that "water fluoridated at the optimum level poses no known health risks."(2)

Kaminsky et. al report: "The available data suggest that some individuals may experience hypersensitivity to fluoride-containing agents" and " …individuals with renal insufficiency who consume large quantities of fluoridated water are at an increased risk of developing skeletal fluorosis."  Research in these two areas were advised but never conducted.

Further, dental fluorosis was reported in diabetics who consume large volumes of water containing 0.5 to 1.0 mg fluoride/liter, the latter equal to NYS's fluoridated water supplies.

Malfunctioning kidneys may not adequately filter fluoride from the blood allowing toxic fluoride levels to build up in and damage bones. Symptoms of skeletal fluorosis include bone pain, tenderness and fractures, according to the EPA.(3)

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) withdrew its fluoridation endorsement in 2007, with advice that "individuals with CKD [Chronic Kidney Disease] should be notified of the potential risk of fluoride exposure."(4)

The landmark 2006 National Research Council fluoride report stated, "Early water fluoridation studies did not carefully assess changes in renal [kidney] function...Several investigators have shown that patients with impaired renal function, or on hemodialysis, tend to accumulate fluoride much more quickly than normal."

Bone changes in advanced kidney patients are similar to bone changes found in individuals with skeletal fluorosis, according to the Fluoride Action Network. This raises the possibility that some individuals with kidney disease are suffering from undiagnosed skeletal fluorosis.

"We know almost half of US kids are fluoride-overdosed as evidenced by their fluoride-discolored teeth, or dental fluorosis," says attorney Paul Beeber, President, NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.  "What has fluoride done to their bones, glands and organs known to collect fluoride? Are they fluoride-hypersensitive? Without such critical studies, claims that fluoridation is safe for everyone are unproven and groundless," says Beeber.

Fluoride also absorbs through the skin from baths and is inhaled in showers.

Seven New York City Council Members are sponsoring legislation to stop fluoridation in New York City.(5)  NYC residents can lighten their toxic fluoride exposure by contacting Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Speaker Christine Quinn and their own Council Member to make sure they vote to stop the addition of fluoride chemicals into NYC's water supply. For more information:  https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=252199261811&topic=16815

Contact:  Paul Beeber, JD, 516-433-8882 [email protected]

http://www.FluorideAction.Net

References:

More fluoride/kidney information here: http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/kidney/index.html

1) Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, "Fluoride: Benefits And Risks of Exposure," by Kaminsky et. al

http://cro.sagepub.com/content/1/4/261.long

2) http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/dental/fluoride_guidance_during_infancy.htm

3) http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/fluoride.cfm#three

4) http://www.kidney.org/atoz/pdf/Fluoride_Intake_in_CKD.pdf

5) http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=828442&GUID=B1B850E6-5BB5-4CC1-9492-6E1070A72B31&Options=&Search

SOURCE NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.