A new study published in the February issue of "Toxicology" (Sawan, et al., 2010) confirms earlier research that fluoride added to public water supplies increases the amount of lead absorbed in bones, teeth and blood. Low level lead exposure is especially dangerous to children, as it affects their developing neurological systems increasing the risk of developing learning disabilities, ADHD, behaviour problems, lowered IQ and autism.
The reasoning behind adding fluoride to water is that it prevents tooth decay. The use of fluoride in public water supplies is riddled with controversy as some believe that it causes various health problems and increased child mortality. Over ninety international organizations, including "the big players" such as the World Health Organization, the US Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada, approve the use of fluoride as an additive in public water supplies. Almost 70% of American population and 45% of Canadians drink fluoridated water daily.
How does fluoridation of your drinking water increase the lead levels? In at least two ways. Firstly, the additive used to fluoridate your water is an industrial grade chemical (hydrofluosilicic acid) that is recovered from wet scrubbers during the production of a phosphate fertilizer and it is usually contaminated with lead. Secondly, this very same chemical increases serum lead levels which in turn boosts the amount of lead stored in the brain, bones and teeth.
What can you do to protect your family from this completely preventable lead exposure? In the long run, you can petition your local legislation to stop water fluoridation with hydrofluosilicic acid. In the meantime, make sure that you use an appropriate water filtration system in your home. If you would like to find out if there is lead in your water, there are a few possibilities: there may be a free water testing program in the municipality or county where you live, your local water supplier might be able to do the testing, or you can hire a provincially- or state- certified laboratory. Alternatively, water testing can be done using a home test kit.
And remember: the safest amount of lead is no lead at all!
Joanna Cerazy
co-author Lead Babies
The reasoning behind adding fluoride to water is that it prevents tooth decay. The use of fluoride in public water supplies is riddled with controversy as some believe that it causes various health problems and increased child mortality. Over ninety international organizations, including "the big players" such as the World Health Organization, the US Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada, approve the use of fluoride as an additive in public water supplies. Almost 70% of American population and 45% of Canadians drink fluoridated water daily.
How does fluoridation of your drinking water increase the lead levels? In at least two ways. Firstly, the additive used to fluoridate your water is an industrial grade chemical (hydrofluosilicic acid) that is recovered from wet scrubbers during the production of a phosphate fertilizer and it is usually contaminated with lead. Secondly, this very same chemical increases serum lead levels which in turn boosts the amount of lead stored in the brain, bones and teeth.
What can you do to protect your family from this completely preventable lead exposure? In the long run, you can petition your local legislation to stop water fluoridation with hydrofluosilicic acid. In the meantime, make sure that you use an appropriate water filtration system in your home. If you would like to find out if there is lead in your water, there are a few possibilities: there may be a free water testing program in the municipality or county where you live, your local water supplier might be able to do the testing, or you can hire a provincially- or state- certified laboratory. Alternatively, water testing can be done using a home test kit.
And remember: the safest amount of lead is no lead at all!
Joanna Cerazy
co-author Lead Babies
No comments:
Post a Comment