FIND cites new research

New Research Confirms Fluoride Link to Lower IQ and Poor Health

New research has confirmed that increased fluoride in water results in reduced intelligence. The research, published in the journal,of environmental monitoring and assessment, found that the higher the fluoride content in water, the lower the IQ of children, and the lower the Body Mass Index, a measure of overall health.

The study also found that dental fluorosis, seen as a discoloration of teeth, is a bio-marker of fluoride toxicity. Dental fluorosis was directly related to the amount of IQ reduction and BMI reduction.

Dental fluorosis occurs in 40% of children in NZ, and the findings of this study would suggest that they have been exposed to levels of fluoride high enough to cause health effects.

The findings, by Environmental Science researchers at the University of Burdwan in India, add more weight to emerging science in China, Mexico and Iran, and to animal studies showing the effects of fluoride on the brain.

Fluoride was classified as a developmental neurotoxin, in the medical journal the Lancet in 2014.
Apart from reduced IQ, research indicates other types of damage to the brain may be occurring such as developmental disorders, depression and dementia.

FIND, a dentist group keeping a close watch on fluoridation research, is concerned that while in these studies the fluoride intake comes almost entirely from fluoride in groundwater, New Zealand has other major sources such as diet, fluoride toothpaste and other dental products, which add to the fluoride exposure.

Furthermore, the fluoride used to artificially fluoridate the water in parts of NZ is not the naturally occurring calcium fluoride measured in these studies, but the more highly bio- active HFSA, a waste product of the phosphate fertilizer industry.

FIND has repeatedly lobbied the government to test total fluoride doses at the individual level. An open letter was delivered to Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne just last month calling for urine testing, the method used in this study and recommended by the WHO.

“We think it's irresponsible to be promoting water fluoridation when 40% of the population are already exceeding safe levels, and individual dosage is not being monitored.” Says FIND spokesman, Dr. Stan Litras.

“It looks like we could be sacrificing the mental health of the many by questionably trying to improve the dental health of a few”

K.Das and N. Mondal ,March 2016
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 188:218 “Dental fluorosis and urinary fluoride concentration as a reflection of fluoride exposure and its impact on IQ level and BMI of children”

ENDS

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