Serious debate is fine. Discussing issues on their merits is of course more than fine. Likewise wondering if having a toxin in your mouth is okay is not only fine but a healthy thing to do.

However claiming as some conspiracy theorists have done without any backup that mercury is being put into our mouths so the ADA can make money at the expense of patient health and that the gov’t has been complacent because it makes the populace easier to control or by getting sick from mercury poisioning more drugs can be sold is (in my opinion) a little left of nutty. I differentiate those who call for scientific studies and those who’ve skipped ahead to crafting a massive medical conspiracy. Now that we have an extremely thorough study on mercury it will be interesting to see how the conspiracy theorists react as the normal response is usually to yell “cover-up!”

On a related point, I find it ironic that in the same breadth you call for a civilized discussion you call me a jackass but perhaps all the mercury in our heads is making us both a little sensitive.

I find the fluoride discussion to be interesting and do not discount what the commenter above has found unless and except if someone were to state that the reason we have fluoride is for mind control or to make sure that we have a lot of sick people or so that Haliburton can make money building fluoride plants. As Jerry Fletcher says in the fictional movie “Conspiracy Theory”… “You know what that stuff does to you? It weakens your will, destroys your capacity for free and creative thought, and makes you a slave to the state!” Now that is nutty.

We had one commenter in the Charlie Sheen post claim that concern for a bird flu pandemic is being fueled so Rumsfield could make money off of the scare. That transcends nuttiness and goes right into the dangerous ingnorance.

Blue-Ribbon Scientific Panel Exposes Fluoridation’s Serious Health Risks

New York - March 31, 2006 — Fluoride jeopardizes health - even at low levels deliberately added to public water supplies – according to data in a recent National Academy of Sciences’ (NAS) National Research Council (NRC) report. Fluoride poses risks to the thyroid gland, diabetics, kidney patients, high water drinkers and others and can severely damage children’s teeth. (1) Two panel members advise avoiding fluoridated water, according to an Oregon newspaper.(2)

An Oregon newspaper reports, “NAS panel member Kathy Thiessen, a former scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory who has studied fluoride for the EPA, said the report showed ‘the potential is there’ that water fluoridation is unhealthy. As for the studies finding that higher levels damage children’s IQ, she said it’s possible water fluoridation levels may have a similar, albeit reduced effect… the research suggests ‘most people should minimize their fluoride intake’ — which includes avoiding fluoridated water.”

“NAS panel member Robert Isaacson, a distinguished professor of neurobehavioral science at the State University of New York in Binghamton, agreed, saying that the possible effects on endocrines and hormones from water-fluoridation are ‘something that I wouldn’t want to happen to me…,’” reports the Portland Tribune.

The 12-member NRC fluoride committee unanimously decided that fluoride’s 4 milligrams per liter (4 mg/L) maximum-contaminant-level must be lowered.

Adults consuming 8 milligrams fluoride daily, via two liters of 4mg/L fluoridated water, risk weakened bones, fractures, and stage II skeletal fluorosis (pain, joint stiffness, pelvis and spine osteosclerosis). Some high-water drinkers consume 8 milligrams fluoride daily when only 1 mg/L is added to their water supplies, according to the report.

The adult daily dosage is equivalent to a 2.28 mg a day dose for a child, according to chemistry professor, Paul Connett, PhD, Executive
Director, Fluoride Action Network.

Fluoride is also in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, dental products, pesticide residues, cigarette smoke and air emissions.

About 2/3 of U.S. water suppliers deliberately add fluoride chemicals (mostly industrial waste silicofluorides) to reach 0.7 to 1.2 mg/L, so-called optimal, in a failed effort to prevent tooth decay. But, “fluoride is a water contaminant over 1.3 mg/L,” the NRC reports.

“This report is misleading by suggesting that the problem has to be studied to death before decisions can be made,” says retired EPA scientist, Robert Carton, PhD. “The safe drinking water act requires the federal government to act if there is any indication of possible or anticipated adverse health effects in order to protect the most vulnerable subsets of the population,” says Carton

“Furthermore, why wasn’t there a minority report?” asks Carton.

“Fluoride has detrimental effects on the thyroid gland of healthy males at 3.5 mg a day.

With iodine deficiency, the effect level drops to 0.7 milligrams/day for an average male, according to the report,” says Carton.

Furthermore, studies linking fluoride to cancer and lowered IQ are plausible, reports the NRC.

Eleven unions representing over 7,000 EPA scientists, engineers, lawyers and others ask for a moratorium on fluoridation.

Insist legislators stop unnecessary water fluoridation. Suggested letter here: http://capwiz.com/congressorg/sbx/f/?aid=8635566&r=1

The Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of any substance in the water
supply is the unenforceable level by which no one is harmed.

Based on the science reported by the NRC, the MCLG for fluoride should
be zero, which is very easily attainable for most water suppliers
costing no money and with free technology - just turn off the fluoride
with a twist of a spigot or a push of a button.

This is why the MCLG for fluoride should be set at zero and/or
fluoridation stopped. According to the NRC report:

1) Babies under one year consume over their adequate intake (to avoid
moderate fluorosis) from the water supply alone at the so-called
optimal concentrations (0.7 - 1.2 mg/L).

2) Some athletes, workers and/or military personnel already consume up
to 10 milligrams fluoride from optimally fluoridated water, alone.

3) “…severe renal insufficiency appears to increase bone fluoride
concentrations, perhaps as much as twofold.”

4) “The elderly are at increased risk of high bone fluoride
concentrations due to accumulation over time…”

5) “There are medical conditions that can make people more susceptible
to the effects of fluoride.”

6) “…several lines of information indicate an effect of fluoride
exposure on thyroid function…it is difficult to predict exactly what
effects on thyroid function are likely at what concentration of
fluoride exposure and under what circumstances.”

7) “…all children through 12 who take fluoride supplements (assuming
low water fluoride) will reach or exceed [optimal].”

References:

1) “Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards,” Committee on Fluoride in Drinking Water, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council of the National Academies of Science. March 2006

http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11571.html?onpi_newsdoc03222006

2) “Fluoride foes get validation - Scientists: Substance less safe than presumed: more research needed,” by Nick Budnick, March 24, 2005, Portland Tribune

http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=34527

SOURCE: NYS Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. nyscof@aol.com

PO Box 263

Old Bethpage, NY 11804

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

http://www.FluorideAction.Net

Posted here: http://groups.google.com/group/Fluoridation-News-Releases/browse_frm/thread/f7433911d924398e/73af52675fdde14e#73af52675fdde14e