Long considered the exclusive realm of conspiracy theorists or 1950s-era John Birch Society members, the case against compulsory fluoridation of municipal water supplies in America is gaining traction. Why? Because the public health risks associated with this government-mandated chemical dump are becoming more widely accepted as evidence attesting to its dangers continues to pile up.
And it’s not just libertarians becoming wise to this forced chemical intake, either. With every new study that’s released, the case against the safety – and efficacy – of fluoridated water grows stronger within the scientific community.
Governments began introducing fluoride into the nation’s water supply in the 1940s with the stated goal of reducing tooth decay – despite clear and compelling evidence attesting to its dangers.
On September 14, 1943, the Journal of the American Medical Association released a report labeling fluorides as protoplasmic poisons capable of altering the permeability of cell membranes. The following year a report published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found fluoride in drinking water caused “developmental disturbances” in teeth, adding that “the potentialities for harm outweigh those for good.”
Despite this evidence Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first municipality to regulate water fluoridation in 1945 – and within four decades nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population was receiving fluoridated water (whether they asked for it or not). Today 73.9 percent of Americans drink fluoridated water – according to thelatest data from the Centers for Disease Control. In fact there are more fluoridated water drinkers in the United States than there are in the rest of the world’s countries – combined.
According to the Fluoride Action Network, 23 human studies and 100 animal studies have linked fluorides to brain damage. There is also extensive research linkingfluorides to bone cancer, reproductive gene mutations and a host of other health ailments.
(For an eye-opening recap of some of the biological effects of fluorides, click here).
Last October a new report from the Harvard School of Public Health revealed children living in areas with higher levels of water fluoridation have “significantly lower” IQ scores than children living in low fluoride areas.
“The results suggest that fluoride may be a developmental neurotoxicant that affects brain development at exposures much below those that can cause toxicity in adults,” researchers concluded.
The study also found “increased levels of aluminum in brain tissue” among children living in high-fluoride areas as possibly contributing to these diminished levels of cognition.
“There are so many scientific studies showing the direct, toxic effects of fluoride on your body, it’s truly remarkable that it’s NOT considered a scientific consensus by now,” Dr. Joseph Mercola wrote recently for The Huffington Post.
At this point though let’s suspend disbelief – let’s toss out decades of scientific studies and pretend as though water fluoridation were a completely risk-free proposition. Let’s also suspend disbelief and pretend government has the right to medicate its citizens without their consent – and then force them to subsidize this coerced medication.
Even if fluoridation were demonstrably risk-free and consistent with constitutional principles (neither of which it is), it would remain totally unnecessary from a public health standpoint.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) there is absolutely no evidence to support the theory that water fluoridation improves dental health. In fact the WHO research strongly suggests the opposite is true – as many countries which do not fluoridate their water supply (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, to name just few) have lower incidences of tooth decay than America. Not only that, according to the CDC 41 percent of American children aged 12-15 years experience dental fluorosis – which is the permanent erosion and staining of dental enamel brought about by excessive fluoride intake.
Yet despite this evidence the American Dental Association – in a direct contradiction of its own 1943 journal findings – claims “the benefits (of fluoridation) outweigh the risks.”
Clearly that’s not the case. Fluoridation is more than just an unnecessary expense and an unacceptable incursion on our individual liberty – it is an increasingly acknowledged health risk that has utterly failed to accomplish its intended objective. If governments across the country are serious about acting in the best interest of the “public health,” then they must take immediate steps to end the fluoridation of our nation’s water supply.
Howard Rich is chairman of Americans for Limited Government. This column – reprinted with permission – originally appeared on NetRight Daily.
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68 comments
Once again, Billy Folks, your servicing of Howie should be private. You need to wipe your chin before you go out in public.
Howie, Howie, Howie….just saying that water fluoridation conspiracies are no longer just John Birch Society nonsense doesn’t make it true. As a true Faux Newser, you really need to get out more.
The American Dental Association and the National Academies of Science say you’re full of shit, Howie. Just STFU; keep sending money; and buying Billy Folks as a front-man so he can continue to entertain.
Once again, Billy Folks, your servicing of Howie should be private. You need to wipe your chin before you go out in public.
Howie, Howie, Howie….just saying that water fluoridation conspiracies are no longer just John Birch Society nonsense doesn’t make it true. As a true Faux Newser, you really need to get out more.
The American Dental Association and the National Academies of Science say you’re full of shit, Howie. Just STFU; keep sending money; and buying Billy Folks as a front-man so he can continue to entertain.
This explains a lot.
If you accept this m@r@nic BS, it explains why Howie the Carpetbugger and sic(K) willie the voucher pimp are such fanatical voucher pimps.
Fluoridation must have twisted their brains.
Our Fuding Eiditor ahs ben drunking Flouridaesd water fer yars and it hait has has has any eflect of on her or her thunk processessed.
This explains a lot.
If you accept this m@r@nic BS, it explains why Howie the Carpetbugger and sic(K) willie the voucher pimp are such fanatical voucher pimps.
Fluoridation must have twisted their brains.
Our Fuding Eiditor ahs ben drunking Flouridaesd water fer yars and it hait has has has any eflect of on her or her thunk processessed.
Whats funny is Howie defining the JBS as “fringe.”
What does the Hell this nutbagger think HE is?
Even the crazies can tell other crazies are insane most of the times.
Whats funny is Howie defining the JBS as “fringe.”
What does the Hell this nutbagger think HE is?
Even the crazies can tell other crazies are insane most of the times.
next we will see howie the voucher clown asking for tax credits or education vouchers for those who insist on only drinking bottled water. But, you never know what “they” put in that bittled wuader. It cud be the smae fluride that they put in tap water. You know the stuff that makes howie krazy.
next we will see howie the voucher clown asking for tax credits or education vouchers for those who insist on only drinking bottled water. But, you never know what “they” put in that bittled wuader. It cud be the smae fluride that they put in tap water. You know the stuff that makes howie krazy.
As a faithful follower of Brother John Birch….
And a (non-attending) member of the Antioch Baptist church…
I resent your implication that I am some sort of nutcase, sir!
“I don’t even have a garage!”
You can ask my wife…
……Lennay Kekua….whom I’ve seen naked.
As a faithful follower of Brother John Birch….
And a (non-attending) member of the Antioch Baptist church…
I resent your implication that I am some sort of nutcase, sir!
“I don’t even have a garage!”
You can ask my wife…
……Lennay Kekua….whom I’ve seen naked.
Awful lot of venom in the comments. Conservatives are just that–reluctant to consider other possibilities, resistant to changing long-held opinions. But Mr. Rich happens to have the right info on fluoridation. When I was an active fluoridation objector our group’s membership spanned the political spectrum from the Rainbow Coalition to the Christian Coalition. And we won. There are some things that everyone can agree on. Fluoridation is a long standing Orwellian scam, guys. Howard Rich lays it out very well. Don’t be blinded by your over the top hatred.
I agree. Use fluoride topically in toothpaste where exposure would be less OR take fluoride tablets as supplement if y’all are sold on it. Your choice.
Awful lot of venom in the comments. Conservatives are just that–reluctant to consider other possibilities, resistant to changing long-held opinions. But Mr. Rich happens to have the right info on fluoridation. When I was an active fluoridation objector our group’s membership spanned the political spectrum from the Rainbow Coalition to the Christian Coalition. And we won. There are some things that everyone can agree on. Fluoridation is a long standing Orwellian scam, guys. Howard Rich lays it out very well. Don’t be blinded by your over the top hatred.
I agree. Use fluoride topically in toothpaste where exposure would be less OR take fluoride tablets as supplement if y’all are sold on it. Your choice.
The Grand Strand area has naturally very high fluoride in the well water and until recently most people there drank well water, both home and municipal.
Anyone else see a connection?
The Grand Strand area has naturally very high fluoride in the well water and until recently most people there drank well water, both home and municipal.
Anyone else see a connection?
“many countries which do not fluoridate their water supply (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, to name just few) have lower incidences of tooth decay than America.”
Meaningless, as it stands. Maybe their water is naturally higher in Fl, maybe they use fluoridated toothpaste, maybe their diet is significantly different.
My old, now retired, dentist in Columbia once told me that he mainly treated caries (cavities) before Columbia fluoridated its water and very soon after it was mainly other dental tasks that took his time. He said it was an amazing change.
“many countries which do not fluoridate their water supply (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, to name just few) have lower incidences of tooth decay than America.”
Meaningless, as it stands. Maybe their water is naturally higher in Fl, maybe they use fluoridated toothpaste, maybe their diet is significantly different.
My old, now retired, dentist in Columbia once told me that he mainly treated caries (cavities) before Columbia fluoridated its water and very soon after it was mainly other dental tasks that took his time. He said it was an amazing change.
Big T must drink a lot of water. Or pure flouride.
Big T must drink a lot of water. Or pure flouride.
“Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face?'”
“I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.”
“Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face?'”
“I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.”
Another study comes out, this time from Harvard-and everyone gets upset instead of simply contemplating the results? Are the various agendas and fear of being different in opinion that important?
Another study comes out, this time from Harvard-and everyone gets upset instead of simply contemplating the results? Are the various agendas and fear of being different in opinion that important?
Once, long ago, at a popular rural fishcamp I met an itinerant carpenter, about 30, who had long medium-brown hair and a beard. He looked straight out of the Sunday School Jesus pictures on the wall, except for a thin shirt and jeans, no robe. He may even have had sandals, I forget. He was named “Joe,” after his adoptive father perhaps. Anyway, he confidently assured my young pals and me that fluoridation was the Devil’s work, as it (and I quote here), “Rots out that part of your brain that resists Communism.” To my everlasting chagrin I neglected to ask in what specific portion of the brain that lay. God* only knows where he is today (*so to speak).
True story.
Once, long ago, at a popular rural fishcamp I met an itinerant carpenter, about 30, who had long medium-brown hair and a beard. He looked straight out of the Sunday School Jesus pictures on the wall, except for a thin shirt and jeans, no robe. He may even have had sandals, I forget. He was named “Joe,” after his adoptive father perhaps. Anyway, he confidently assured my young pals and me that fluoridation was the Devil’s work, as it (and I quote here), “Rots out that part of your brain that resists Communism.” To my everlasting chagrin I neglected to ask in what specific portion of the brain that lay. God* only knows where he is today (*so to speak).
True story.
I never understand why science becomes political. Many people, and certainly conservatives seem more inclined to this than moderates and liberals, seem to always embrace the science they love and reject the science they hate.
If scientist at Harvard say this is a risk, their report should be peer reviewed by other scientist and if they concur, then someone needs to undertake a serious study of whether we should reduce fluoride in our water. And guess what. Since there is no money in making that determination that somebody will be the Government, probably the CDC. We can’t just change what we have been doing for 50+ years, without some idea of the impact of the change.
The constitutional argument is of course nonsense. Fluoridation is an act by state and local government and not the federal government. Also, if you don’t like it you can drill a well or buy bottled water. Is it constitutional for the Government to make water available to your home or business? If it is, surely the government gets to decide what makes the water they make available the best possible water. Would you be uncomfortable if they just pumped water from your local river to you home without filtering it or cleaning it?
This is just like global warming, except in the case of global warming, the studies have already been peer reviewed many times and the vast majority of scientist have concluded that it does exist, and that man made pollutants are contributing to it. Of course Mr. Rich will reject this piece of science, because it does not comport with his political philosophy.
“I never understand why science becomes political.”
Because there’s money/power involved.
Get some scientists to say there’s “global warming”, and now you’ve got a tidy justification for more taxes, control, etc.
In this case it’s a little different because Alcoa was looking for someplace to dump flouride back in the 50’s without getting penalized by gov’t.
So they funded a few studies back then, paid off a few pols, and voila! Now it’s good to put in water and Alcoa doesn’t have to pay to dispose of it.
I can easily be wrong, but I think it is waste from the phosphate fertilizer industry now that is used to make the fluoridation chemicals for drinking water.
I never understand why science becomes political. Many people, and certainly conservatives seem more inclined to this than moderates and liberals, seem to always embrace the science they love and reject the science they hate.
If scientist at Harvard say this is a risk, their report should be peer reviewed by other scientist and if they concur, then someone needs to undertake a serious study of whether we should reduce fluoride in our water. And guess what. Since there is no money in making that determination that somebody will be the Government, probably the CDC. We can’t just change what we have been doing for 50+ years, without some idea of the impact of the change.
The constitutional argument is of course nonsense. Fluoridation is an act by state and local government and not the federal government. Also, if you don’t like it you can drill a well or buy bottled water. Is it constitutional for the Government to make water available to your home or business? If it is, surely the government gets to decide what makes the water they make available the best possible water. Would you be uncomfortable if they just pumped water from your local river to you home without filtering it or cleaning it?
This is just like global warming, except in the case of global warming, the studies have already been peer reviewed many times and the vast majority of scientist have concluded that it does exist, and that man made pollutants are contributing to it. Of course Mr. Rich will reject this piece of science, because it does not comport with his political philosophy.
“I never understand why science becomes political.”
Because there’s money/power involved.
Get some scientists to say there’s “global warming”, and now you’ve got a tidy justification for more taxes, control, etc.
In this case it’s a little different because Alcoa was looking for someplace to dump flouride back in the 50’s without getting penalized by gov’t.
So they funded a few studies back then, paid off a few pols, and voila! Now it’s good to put in water and Alcoa doesn’t have to pay to dispose of it.
I can easily be wrong, but I think it is waste from the phosphate fertilizer industry now that is used to make the fluoridation chemicals for drinking water.
Thank you – this issue goes far beyond any Left-Right distinction. As a progressive Democrat I look forward to working with Republicans, Libertarians, Greens, mainstream Democrats in getting this pollution out of our water and using our limited public funds in ways that help the public, not hurt us.
Thank you – this issue goes far beyond any Left-Right distinction. As a progressive Democrat I look forward to working with Republicans, Libertarians, Greens, mainstream Democrats in getting this pollution out of our water and using our limited public funds in ways that help the public, not hurt us.
I am not a member of a ‘Fringe Group’ nor a conspiracy theorist.I had to look up John Birch on the Internet. I have been opposed to the fluoridation of public water since the 60s.I feel vindicated by these recent studies and am pleased to see the dangers of fluoridation are being exposed.
I am not a member of a ‘Fringe Group’ nor a conspiracy theorist.I had to look up John Birch on the Internet. I have been opposed to the fluoridation of public water since the 60s.I feel vindicated by these recent studies and am pleased to see the dangers of fluoridation are being exposed.
I think the Illuminati are behind the mass poisoning of America’s precious table salt. How else can one explain the routine addition of iodine, a known poison, into the salt we put on our kids’ Freedom fries and fried eggs? There seems to be no other reasonable explanation. No wonder the country is going to the dogs and IQs seem to be going down.
Not to blow down your strawman, but iodine is required element for life…unlike flouride. Also,if you eat too many eggs at once they will kill you-but I digress. :)
edit: “is A required”
Too many eggs didn’t kill Cool Hand Luke!
So your argument is by requiring Iodine be placed in our salt, the government is fulfilling its constitutional duty to preserve life?
before it was the palmetto state, sc was called the iodine state because of the quality and quantity of our iodine. before iodized salt was introduced iodine deficency was a fairly common health concern. when was the last time you saw a goiter in the US?
also, nobody is forcing you to buy iodized salt at the grocery store, and the city isnt piping it directly to your table.
Exactly, thank you for the interesting local history too.
WIS radio and TV is originally from “wonderful iodine state.”
No Jan. I’m simply highlighting the difference on a purely chemical basis. Fluoride is more toxic at lower levels and not necessary for life.
The major philosophical difference is that gov’t isn’t taking people’s money and forcing them to ingest Iodine, people can freely choose salt with or without it.
With water,you get it whether you want it or not if you can’t afford the alternatives. If you can afford a well or the right bottled water,then no big deal. Most poor people don’t have that choice.
I absolutely refuse to label satire, sarcasm, parody, mocking, or facetiousness. It will just have to “woosh.”
Yes, yes….it was just innocent satire with no effect or meaning intended behind it. Just like Voltaire.
Oh, it had a meaning, not that anyone caught it.
There is something about message or comment boards that anethsitizes that sense for the “put on” in many persons. I’ve seen it often and done it on occasion probably.
Cretin.
*I keed! I keed!*
I think the Illuminati are behind the mass poisoning of America’s precious table salt. How else can one explain the routine addition of iodine, a known poison, into the salt we put on our kids’ Freedom fries and fried eggs? There seems to be no other reasonable explanation. No wonder the country is going to the dogs and IQs seem to be going down.
Not to blow down your strawman, but iodine is required element for life…unlike flouride. Also,if you eat too many eggs at once they will kill you-but I digress. :)
edit: “is A required”
Too many eggs didn’t kill Cool Hand Luke!
So your argument is by requiring Iodine be placed in our salt, the government is fulfilling its constitutional duty to preserve life?
before it was the palmetto state, sc was called the iodine state because of the quality and quantity of our iodine. before iodized salt was introduced iodine deficency was a fairly common health concern. when was the last time you saw a goiter in the US?
also, nobody is forcing you to buy iodized salt at the grocery store, and the city isnt piping it directly to your table.
Exactly, thank you for the interesting local history too.
WIS radio and TV is originally from “wonderful iodine state.”
No Jan. I’m simply highlighting the difference on a purely chemical basis. Fluoride is more toxic at lower levels and not necessary for life.
The major philosophical difference is that gov’t isn’t taking people’s money and forcing them to ingest Iodine, people can freely choose salt with or without it.
With water,you get it whether you want it or not if you can’t afford the alternatives. If you can afford a well or the right bottled water,then no big deal. Most poor people don’t have that choice.
I absolutely refuse to label satire, sarcasm, parody, mocking, or facetiousness. It will just have to “woosh.”
Yes, yes….it was just innocent satire with no effect or meaning intended behind it. Just like Voltaire.
Oh, it had a meaning, not that anyone caught it.
There is something about message or comment boards that anethsitizes that sense for the “put on” in many persons. I’ve seen it often and done it on occasion probably.
Cretin.
*I keed! I keed!*