In 2007, the Fluoride Action Network began translating foreign language research on fluoride toxicity as a way of improving the current understanding of how fluoride effects human health. Between 2007 and 2012, we translated a total of 48 studies and made each of these studies available on our website. Our hope was that these translations would elevate the scientific debate by introducing to western audiences studies that would otherwise remain unknown and ignored. We were happy, therefore, when a Harvard medical team included eleven of our translations in their review on fluoride and IQ, (Choi 2012), and when one of our translations spurred a research team to investigate (and confirm) fluoride’s neurological effects on industrially exposed workers (Yazdi 2011).
Thanks to the generous donations of our supporters, FAN has continued to move forward with our translation work in 2013. Since October, we have translated an additional 19 human studies (13 in Chinese and 6 in Russian) and are currently working on several more. We are now in the process of formatting the manuscripts and will be releasing them by the end of the month. This current batch of translations includes:
- 10 studies on fluoride’s relationship to musculoskeletal problems, including various forms of degenerative arthritis;
- 6 studies on fluoride’s relationship to cardiovascular disease, including arteriosclerosis;
- 3 studies on fluoride’s damage to the central nervous system; and
- 1 study on fluoride’s effect on the male reproductive system.
It would, of course, be unnecessary for FAN to spend the time and resources unearthing these foreign studies if health authorities in the U.S. and other fluoridating countries (like Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand) were actually doing their job by monitoring fluoride’s effects on people’s overall health. Unfortunately, however, these health authorities continue to see their job as promoting fluoridation, rather than studying it from a neutral vantage point — a point that the consumer advocate Ralph Nader has repeatedly made.Promoters of fluoridation like to say that “thousands of studies” have proven the practice safe. However, when the U.S. National Research Council reviewed the research back in 2006, they found a staggering number of potential risks, including how fluoride affects the brain, thyroid gland, and bones. As Dr. John Doull, the Chairman of the NRC committee noted,
In light of this, the NRC called for a wide range of studies to determine fluoride’s effects on people’s health, particularly with respect to neurological and endocrine disorders. Noting that “remarkably few” studies have been done to determine the levels of fluoride building up in body tissues, the NRC also called for fluoride to “be included in nationwide biomonitoring surveys and nutritional studies.”
Despite these recommendations and warnings, health authorities continue to do little, if any, meaningful research. Rather than re-examining their longstanding assumptions about fluoridation’s safety, fluoridating governments continue to act as if teeth are the only tissue in the body that can be affected from current sources of fluoride exposure. In light of this wholesale failure of responsibility, we believe it is important to monitor the research findings from countries, like China, that actually fund the kind of research on fluoride toxicity that the NRC recommended. Towards this end, FAN will continue translating important new studies so that people here in the U.S., and other fluoridating countries, can stay informed of the potential risks from current fluoride exposures from water, dental products, processed beverages, tea, pesticide residues, and other sources.
The FAN “Study Tracker”
In addition to translating studies from abroad, FAN is working with our favorite team of computer geeks on an ambitious new study tracker system that will allow visitors to FAN’s Research Page an unprecedented ability to stay informed of the latest research — from the U.S. and beyond. The programming for this system is almost complete, and we hope to release it as early as January.
The dental insurance companies, corporate-funded foundations, and government health agencies that push fluoridation have far more money and power than we will ever have. The truth, however, has a funny way of winning out in the end. It will no doubt do so with fluoridation.
Michael Connett, Special Projects Director
Fundraising update from the Fluoride Action Network:
In 9 days our fundraising has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. Yesterday was a very good day. We raised $3,105 from 21 donors, which included a generous $1000 matching grant and donations in the mail. Thank you all for your donations. It has been heartwarming, but there is still a very long way to our ambitious goals of $120,000 from 600 donors by midnight Dec 31 and our mini-goal of $80,000 by Christmas eve.
But yesterday also brought us some very exciting news. Dr. Mercola has pledged to match dollar for dollar the next $5,000 raised and if and when we reach our mini-goal of $80,000 he will do the same – match the next $5,000 dollar for dollar. Thank you Dr. Mercola, very, very much.
If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation – large or small -you can either:
- Donate by using our secure online server.
- Donate by sending a check – payable to Fluoride Action Network – to: FAN, 104 Walnut Street, Binghamton, NY 13905
Remember, a donation of $75 will get you the “Fluoride Deception” Flash Drive. You can also choose one of our exciting gifts available at different donation levels.
Dec 1 $675 from 8
Dec 2 $699 from 21
Dec 3 $3,309 from 48
Dec 4 $11,458 from 27
Dec 5 $399 from 9
Dec 6 $1,089 from 22
Dec 7 $255 from 5
Dec 8 $139 from 2
Dec 9 $3,105 from 21
Sincerely,
Stuart Cooper, Campaign Director
Fluoride Action Network
______________________
See all FAN bulletins
Print 
PDF