All Infant Formula Contains Fluoride at Tooth Discoloring Levels

October 2009 – All infant formulas, whether ready-to-feed,
concentrated or organic, contain fluoride at levels which can discolor
developing teeth, reports the October 2009 Journal of the American
Dental Association (JADA) (1).

Fluoride, added to some bottled and public water supplies ostensibly
to prevent cavities, is also in many foods and beverages, including
infant formula. Excessive fluoride discolors and/or weakens permanent
teeth (moderate fluorosis).

Researchers measured fluoride content of 49 infant formulas. See:
http://www.freewebs.com/fluoridation/infantformulafluoride.htm

The research team concludes,  ”Most infants from birth to age 12
months who consume predominantly powdered and liquid concentrate
formula are likely to exceed the upper tolerable limit [of fluoride]
if the formula is reconstituted with optimally fluoridated water (0.7
- 1.2 ppm).”

Surprisingly, the study reveals that all 6-month-olds and younger will
also exceed the lower “adequate intake” (0.01 mg/day) from all
formulas (concentrated or not) risking moderate dental fluorosis from
formula, alone. (2)

Breast milk contains about 250 times less fluoride than “optimally”
fluoridated water and isn’t linked to fluorosis.

“Babies don’t need fluoride and fluoride ingestion doesn’t reduce
tooth decay,” says attorney Paul Beeber, President, New York State
Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. “So why are US babies still
exposed to unnecessary fluoride chemicals via the water and food
supplies and why aren’t parents informed of the consequences?” asks
Beeber.

Up to 48% of school children have fluorosed teeth – 4% severe, reports
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (3).

Both the CDC and the American Dental Association’s web sites advise
parents to avoid mixing fluoridated water into concentrated infant
formula, but they have never effectively broadcast this information to
parents or the media (4,5).

A review of human studies by different researchers published in JADA
(July 2009) concluded, “Our systematic review indicated that the
consumption of infant formula [concentrated and ready-to-feed] is, on
average, associated with an increased risk of developing at least some
detectable level of enamel fluorosis.” (6)

“Parents, protect your children since dental and government agencies
won’t. Petition local and state legislators to stop adding unnecessary
and harmful fluoride chemicals into public water supplies and,
thereby, into our food supply,” says Beeber. “Further, demand that the
fluoride content of all food products be required on labels.”

Researchers agree that infant formula levels should be lowered.

“One interpretation of the available
evidence would be that public health officials should create
guidelines for infant formula consumption ensuring that the upper
intake level established by the Institute of Medicine… is not
exceeded. Another approach would be to strive for ‘biological
normality’ and to strive for fluoride levels observed in breast milk,”
write Hujoel et al. in “Infant Formula and Enamel Fluorosis: A
Systematic Review. (6)

A recent investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found
that over-exposure to fluoride among infants is a widespread problem
in most major American cities. EWG’s study found that, on any given
day, up to 60% of formula-fed babies in US cities were exceeding the
Institute of Medicine’s “upper tolerable” limit for fluoride. (6a)

In 2004, fluoride researcher Dr. Teresa A. Marshall told Reuters
Health, “Very young infants are unlikely to benefit from the caries-
prevention effects of fluoride…They may be at increased risk of dental
fluorosis.” (7) Marshall co-authored “Associations between Intakes of
Fluoride from Beverages during Infancy and Dental Fluorosis of Primary
Teeth,” in the Journal of American Clinical Nutrition. (b)

In 2000, researcher A K Mascarenhas evaluating only well-conducted
studies from the 1980s through the 1990s concluded in Pediatric
Dentistry that infant formula was a major risk factor for dental
fluorosis. (8)

As part of the on-going Iowa Fluoride Study, Levy and his team
measured the fluoride content of infant formula and found from 0.15 to
0.30 ppm in ready-to-feed infant formula. (9)

Common household water filters (e.g. carbon filters) do not remove
fluoride and unlike chlorine, which dissipates upon boiling, fluoride
becomes more concentrated when water is boiled.

Only distillation, reverse osmosis and political activism removes fluoride from tap water.

Parents are advised to control their chldren’s total daily fluoride intake with the help of their dentists.  But most dentists don’t know what foods contain fluoride and at what levels.  Also, most dentists are unaware that fluoride ingestion does not reduce tooth decay e.g. http://tinyurl.com/Yoder The USDA set up a Fluoride in Foods database to help parents out.  However, that also is not well-advertised.

USDA: Fluoride-content of common foods: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=6312

Pictures of fluorosis
http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/teeth/fluorosis/moderate-severe.html

SOURCE:  New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
http://www.FluorideAction.Net

 

References:

1)   “Assessing a potential risk factor for enamel fluorosis: a
preliminary evaluation of fluoride content in infant formulas,”
Journal of the American Dental Association October 2009

2) http://fluoridation.webs.com/intakefromformula.htm

3) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/figures/s403a1t23.gif

4) http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/infant_formula.htm

5)  http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?art…

6)  “Infant Formula and Enamel Fluorosis: A Systematic Review,”
Journal of the American Dental Association by Hujoel, et al, July 2009

6a) “National Academy Calls for Lowering Fluoride Limits in Tap
Water,” EWG News Release, March 2006 http://www.ewg.org/node/21000

7) “Too Much Fluoride May Harm Babies’ Teeth,” Reuters Health, May 5,
2004
http://www.fluoridealert.org/media/2004c.html

Pediatric Dentistry. July-August 2000. “Risk factors for dental
fluorosis: a review of the recent literature,” by Mascarenhas AK
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10969430?dopt=Abstract

9) Dental Clinics of North America 47(2003), “Current and future role
of fluoride in nutrition,” by Warren & Levy, 225-243

More evidence that infant formula is linked to dental fluorosis:

http://tinyurl.com/AllFormulaContainsFluoride

 

 

Cancer-Causing Toxins in Fluoride Chemicals

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)

There is strong evidence that even tiny amounts of some metals can contribute to aggressive or antisocial behavior, says Neil Ward, a professor of chemistry at the UK’s University of Surrey.  (6)

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

http://www.cdc.gov/Fluoridation/fact_sheets/engineering/wfadditives.htm#7

(2) NSF Fact Sheet on Fluoriadtion Chemicals, February 2008

http://www.nsf.org/business/water_distribution/pdf/NSF_Fact_Sheet.pdf

(3)  US Environmental Protection Agency, Arsenic in Drinking Water, accessed April 8, 2009

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/index.html

(4) US Centers for Disease Control, Community Water Fluoridation, Water Fluoriodation Additives, modified and reviewed December 1, 2008

http://www.cdc.gov/Fluoridation/fact_sheets/bottled_water.htm

(5) http://www.nteu280.org/Issues/Fluoride/Press%20Release.%20Fluoride.htm

(6) http://www.nutraingredients.com/Industry/How-metals-in-food-impact-children-s-behaviour

Fluoride Opposition: Scientific, Respectable & Growing

New York – December 2008 — Over 1400 additional professionals signed onto the Fluoride Action Network’s (FAN)  statement calling for an end to fluoridation, first published in August 2007, as even more evidence emerges to condemn fluoridation. Also, 53 US cities rejected fluoridation this election day (Nov 4).

Now over 2,000 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

A Tennessee State legislator who is also an MD is urging all Tennessee Water Districts to stop fluoridation, reported a Tennessee newspaper on 11/29/08. At least 30 Tennessee water districts have already complied with his request.

Since the first FAN statement, the following has occurred:

–  The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Canada’s leading voice on environmental health issues, released a statement opposing fluoridation.

–  The National Kidney Foundation dropped its fluoridation support replacing it with this caution: “Individuals with CKD  [Chronic Kidney Disease] should be notified of the potential risk of fluoride exposure.” (1)

— Researchers reporting in the Oct 6 2007  British Medical Journal indicate that fluoridation was never was proven safe or effective and may be unethical. (2)

–  “A qualitative review of …studies found a consistent and strong association between the exposure to fluoride and low IQ,”  concluded Tang el al., in ”Fluoride and Children’s Intelligence: A Meta-analysis” in Biological Trace Element Research (e-published  8/10/08)

– Scientific American editors wrote in January 2008, “Some recent studies suggest that over-consumption of fluoride can raise the risks of disorders affecting teeth, bones, the brain and the thyroid gland”

– Dr. A. K. Susheela, a leading fluoride expert, explains in a video why US physicians overlook fluoride as a possible cause of diseases commonly caused by fluoride. http://tinyurl.com/Susheela

– An expert panel Health Canada commissioned to study the risks of fluoride exposure says the government should cut the recommended amount in drinking water, encourage the use of low-fluoride toothpaste by children and have makers of infant formula reduce levels in their products. The panel recommended reduced fluoride exposure because it was worried children might be getting too much of the chemical.

Signers to the FAN statement include:

–  Dr. Arvid Carlsson,winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize for Medicine

–   Vyvyan Howard, MD, PhD, President, International Society of Doctors for the Environment

–  Ken Cook and Richard Wiles, Environmental Working  Group

–  Lois Gibbs, Center for Health, Environment, and Justice

—  Joseph Mercola, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, who runs the #1 most visited natural health website

–   Theo Colborn, PhD, co-author, “Our Stolen Future”

–   Sam Epstein,  MD, Chairman, Cancer Prevention Coalition

–   The current and six past Presidents of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and  Toxicology

–  Board of Directors (2007), American Academy of Environmental Medicine

–  FIVE Goldman Prize winners – given for excellence in protecting the environment

.  –  Three members of the prestigious 2006 National Research Council (NRC) panel that reported on fluoride’s toxicology

–  Three officers in the Union representing professionals at EPA headquarters

–  Hundreds of medical, dental, academic, scientific and environmental professionals, worldwide.

Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Arvid Carlsson, , says, “Fluoridation is against all principles of modern pharmacology. It’s really obsolete.”

An Online Action Petition to Congress in support of the Professionals’ Statement is available on FAN’s web site, http://congress.fluorideaction.net and over 16,800 individuals have signed so far.

“The NRC fluoride report dramatically changed scientific understanding of fluoride’s health risks,” says Paul Connett, PhD, Executive Director, Fluoride Action Network.  “Government officials who continue to promote fluoridation must testify under oath as to why they are ignoring the powerful evidence of harm in the NRC report,” he added.

The Professionals’ Statement also references:

– The new American Dental Association policy recommending infant formula NOT be prepared with fluoridated water.

– The  CDC’s concession that the predominant benefit of fluoride is topical not systemic.

– CDC data showing that dental fluorosis, caused by fluoride over-exposure, now impacts one third of American children.

– Major research indicating little difference in decay rates between fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities.

– A Harvard study indicating a possible link between fluoridation and bone cancer.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a DC watchdog, revealed that a Harvard professor concealed the fluoridation/bone cancer connection for three years. EWG President Ken Cook states, “It is time for the US to recognize that fluoridation has serious risks that far outweigh any minor benefits, and unlike many other environmental issues, it’s as easy to end as turning off a valve at the water plant.”

END

Contact:  Bill Osmunson, DDS, MPH, Fluoride Action Network Spokesperson

bill@teachingsmiles.com Office 503.675.7300  Cell 425.466.0100  (Pacific Time) Video

or

Paul Connett, PhD, Canton, NY, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry and Executive Director, Fluoride Action Network, 315-379-9200 paul@fluoridealert.org Video of a Paul Connett recent TV presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRVYXLBqHV4

References:

(1) National Kidney Foundation, “Fluoride Intake in Chronic Kidney Disease,” April 15, 2008

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

(2) “Adding fluoride to water supplies,” British Medical Journal, KK Cheng, Iain Chalmers, Trevor A. Sheldon, October 6, 2007

SOURCE:  Fluoride Action Network http://www.FluorideAction.