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Traces of arsenic, copper, lead and other impurities are found in chemicals used to fluoridate public water supplies, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (1)Controversial fluoridation schemes are promoted by special-interest groups such as the American Dental Association (ADA) which claims adding fluoride chemicals to public water supplies reduces tooth decay. "Most public and government officials take their lead from the ADA," says attorney Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
Arsenic was detected in 43% of the 245 diluted water fluoridation chemicals sampled by NSF International between the years 2000 and 2006 which regulates public water supply additives. (2)
Arsenic may increase cancer risk, according to the EPA which sets the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal of arsenic in water supplies at zero.(3)
Also 3% of the samples contained copper; 2% contained lead; and less than 1% contained barium, chromium, mercury, selenium or thallium. Silicates, the second most prevalent substance in fluoridation chemicals, are not health regulated.
Although no radionuclides or beryllium were found in these samples, 0.4 parts-per-billion is allowed.
Bottled water suppliers, who add fluoride, typically follow the same standards, according to the CDC. (1)
Community water fluoridation uses industrial-waste fluoride (silicofluorides). However, pharmaceutical grade fluoride may also be contaminated. According to the CDC, "Given the volumes of chemicals used in water fluoridation, a pharmaceutical grade of sodium fluoride for fluoridation could potentially contain much higher levels of arsenic, radionuclides, and regulated heavy metals than a NSF/ANSI Standard 60-certified product [the standard that water fluoridation chemicals must meet]."
The FDA regulates bottled water. But it's almost impossible to know how much fluoride is in the bottle, unless you call the manufacturer, because:
-- Domestic bottled water with no added fluoride may contain between 1.4 and 2.4 mg/L fluoride
-- Imported bottled water with no added fluoride may not contain fluoride in excess of 1.4 mg/L.
-- Domestic bottled water with added fluoride can contain between 0.8 and 1.7 mg/L fluoride
-- Imported bottled water with added fluoride may not contain more than 0.8 mg/L fluoride.
Bottlers are not required to list any naturally-occurring fluoride on the labels.(1)
"Fluoridation is irrational whether it's coming from the tap or the bottle," says Beeber. "It's time to leave fluoride chemicals and all their contaminants out of every water source."
Over 2,400 professionals urge the US Congress to stop water fluoridation until Congressional hearings are conducted, citing scientific evidence that fluoridation, long promoted to fight tooth decay, is ineffective and has serious health risks. See statement: http://www.fluorideaction.org/statement.august.2007.html.
Also, eleven Environmental Protection Agency employee unions representing over 7000 environmental and public health professionals called for a moratorium on drinking water fluoridation programs across the country, and have asked EPA management to recognize fluoride as posing a serious risk of causing cancer in people. (5)
References
(1) US Centers for Disease Control, Community Water Fluoridation, Fact Sheet on Questions About Bottled Water and fluoride, date last updated February 25, 2008
(2) NSF Fact Sheet on Fluoriadtion Chemicals, February 2008
(3) US Environmental Protection Agency, Arsenic in Drinking Water, accessed April 8, 2009
(4) US Centers for Disease Control, Community Water Fluoridation, Water Fluoriodation Additives, modified and reviewed December 1, 2008
