Critics of fluoridation gained more ammunition from a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stating that trace amounts of arsenic are entering drinking water by means of the chemicals used in fluoridation.

What you need to know - Conventional View

* Water is fluoridated by means of the chemicals sodium fluoride, sodium fluorosilicate, and fluorosilicic acid (FSA). These chemicals are byproducts from the manufacture of phosphate-based fertilizers.

* Trace amounts of contaminants from fertilizer production -- including antimony, barium, beryllium and arsenic -- remain in these fluoridation chemicals and can then be transferred to water.

* Tests by the National Sanitation Foundation discovered arsenic in sample batches of FSA. An increased concentration of between 0.43 and 1.66 parts per billion (ppb) of arsenic in fluoridated water was attributable to FSA.

* The Environmental Protection Agency has set the maximum contaminant level of arsenic in water at 10 ppb.

* Studies have shown, however, that concentrations as low as 1 ppb can increase people's risk of developing bladder or lung cancer.

*Quote: "We're glad the CDC finally admits that arsenic can be found in fluoridation chemicals. But the 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." - Paul Beeber, president of the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation

What you need to know - Alternative View

Statements and opinions by Mike Adams, executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center

* The practice of fluoridating public water supplies is nothing more than a clever way to dispose of industrial waste chemicals by feeding them to the population rather than paying for proper hazardous waste disposal.

* There are absolutely no dental or medical benefits whatsoever derived from the ingestion of fluorosilicic acid. Pro-fluoride propagandists try to confuse the public into thinking that fluorosilicic acid is the same as natural fluoride, but it isn't. FSA is an EPA-regulated toxic waste chemical that should never be dripped into public water supplies unless, of course, you're a terrorist trying to poison the population. In that scenario, FSA is quite effective at harming large numbers of people.

Resources you need to know

No Fluoride: http://www.nofluoride.com/

CounterThink cartoon on fluoridation: http://www.newstarget.com/021115.html

Bottom line - Fluoridation adds arsenic to drinking water.