Fluoridation is a controversial attempt to reduce tooth decay in tap-water consumers.

Fluoridation chemicals - sodium fluoride, sodium fluorosilicate, and fluorosilicic acid (FSA) – are all derived from the manufacture of phosphate fertilizer, reports the CDC.  Trace amounts of unwanted contaminants, such as antimony, barium, beryllium, arsenic and others, are allowed to remain in fluoridation chemicals before flowing through America’s faucets (2)

The CDC reports, tests by National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) revealed arsenic was present in sample batches of FSA. When trace amounts were present, the treated water had an average of 0.43 parts per billion (ppb) of arsenic, with a high of 1.66 ppb attributable to the fluoride additive. (2)

The NSF sets the allowable level of arsenic in fluoridation chemicals at 2.5 ppb. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) of arsenic in treated water is 10 ppb, set by the Environmental Protection Agency. But the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) of arsenic in drinking water is zero (5) and is based on health risks; however, the actual level permitted (MCL) is above 0, to account for difficulty in removing it or in measuring it. (6)

“No water company should purposely be adding arsenic to water supplies –even when it’s attached to a chemical perceived to be beneficial,” says Beeber.

Trace levels of arsenic in drinking water increase a person's risk of developing cancer, according to a report from the prestigious US National Academy of Sciences. “People drinking water containing just one part per billion of arsenic have an increased risk of developing bladder or lung cancer of one in 1,000,” reports New Scientist magazine. (3)

In an analysis of 25 states, the National Resources Defense Council found about 8,000 U.S. water systems, serving 57,000,000 people, contained arsenic levels at 1 ppb or higher.(4)

“Fluoridation has proven useless in fighting tooth decay in America’s low-income population as the recent unfortunate ‘tooth-decay’ death of a 12-year-old Maryland boy living in a fluoridated area has proven,” says lawyer Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation. “No child is or ever was fluoride-deficient. But many are dentist-deficient,” says Beeber.

“Besides, modern science establishes that fluoridation is ineffective at reducing tooth decay, harmful to health and a waste of taxpayer money,” says Beeber.

"We're glad the CDC finally admits that arsenic can be found in fluoridation chemicals. But CDC should go further and list all undesirable chemicals and impurities allowed in the fluoridation chemicals, and make it publicly known so consumers truly can make an informed choice," says Beeber.

Contact: Paul S. Beeber, Esq., President and General Counsel, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.  nyscof@aol.com

http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof

Fluoridation News Releases tinyurl.com/6kqtu

Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/

Fluoride Action Network www.FluorideAction.Net

Fluoride Journal www.FluorideResearch.Org

References:

(1) U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dep’t of Health and Human Services – Water Fluoridation – Guidelines & Recommendations – Water Fluoridation Additives (accessed March 11, 2007) http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/engineering/wfadditives.htm

(2) April 24,2000 letter from NSF International to State of Florida, Department of Public Health  http://www.fluoridealert.org/NSF-Letter.pdf

(3) New Scientist, “Trace arsenic in water raises cancer risk,” by Emma Young, September 14, 2001 http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn1300

(4) National Resources Defense Council, “Arsenic and Old Laws.” Chapter 1 - Arsenic has been found at levels of health concern in the tap water of tens of millions of Americans in 25 states http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/arsenic/chap1.asp  

(5) www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic/index.html

(6) www.fluoridealert.org/thiessen-statement.pdf