Compiled by Michael F. Dolan, PhD

Further Analysis Confirms Fluoride Exposure Associated With Primary Hypothyroidism

In response to a question raised at the recent US federal court trial Food and Water Watch et al. vs. United States Environmental Protection Agency regarding their work on drinking water fluoride and hypothyroidism, scientists at Canadian and U.S. universities have further analyzed their data regarding the duration of residence in fluoridated communities, and have confirmed that exposure to fluoridated drinking water is associated with increased risk of primary hypothyroidism.

The authors report, “In our recently published study evaluating the potential thyroid-disrupting effects of fluoride exposure in pregnancy, we found that pregnant women exposed to higher concentrations of fluoride in drinking water were at an increased risk of hypothyroidism. Specifically, a 0.5 mg/L increase in water fluoride concentration – roughly the difference between a fluoridated and non-fluoridated community – was associated with a 65 % greater odds of having a diagnosis or meeting criteria for primary hypothyroidism. In contrast, maternal urinary fluoride concentration was not significantly associated with primary hypothyroidism, perhaps because urinary fluoride is not a stable and chronic measure of exposure as are fluoride levels in municipal water.”

They concluded, “Accounting for duration at residence, in addition to excluding women who did not report drinking tap water in pregnancy, gave us more confidence that water fluoride was a valid measure of chronic fluoride exposure. We were able to infer with greater certainty that pregnant women living in fluoridated communities were consuming fluoridated water for an extended period, prior to and at the beginning of pregnancy. Taken together, these additional findings provide further evidence that fluoride in drinking water may contribute to the development of primary hypothyroidism in women, particularly among those who have normal thyroid peroxidase antibody levels.”

Source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173121

Renowned Indian Fluoride Expert Dr. A.K. Susheela Remembered

The January-March issue of the open access Fluoride journal contains a tribute to the late Prof. A.K. Susheela, one of the world’s leading experts on the adverse health effects of fluoride exposure, who died last September at 86.

“Professor Susheela was a prominent figure at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, where her dedication to understanding and addressing the critical issue of fluorosis led to groundbreaking discoveries. Her tireless efforts in research and advocacy brought the debilitating effects of excessive fluoride exposure to the forefront of public consciousness. Her ground-breaking studies illuminated the devastating impact of fluoride contamination on the health of countless communities, particularly in rural India. Professor Susheela’s work was not confined to laboratories alone; she ventured into affected regions, bringing attention to the suffering of those who lacked access to clean water. Her research and persistent advocacy led to critical policy changes and interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of fluorosis. Her work was instrumental in shaping public health initiatives and raising awareness about the importance of safe drinking water,” recalled her colleague Dr. A.L. Khandare.

Prof. Hardy Limeback of the University of Toronto wrote, “Professor Susheela was one of the reasons I explored fluoride toxicity in my research at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto. Her research on the effects of fluoride on people in endemic fluorosis areas of India was highly cited in our US NRC 2006 Committee on Fluoride in Drinking Water and I had the great pleasure of hosting her in Canada In 2008 at the 28th ISFR conference. What an amazing woman she was; so poised, dignified, intelligent and caring. Helping fluoride-poisoned people in India was a monumental undertaking but she dedicated her life to the cause. The world is a better place because of you, Andezhath.”

A detailed account of her career by Fluoride Editor-in-Chief Dr. Bruce Spittle is also found in this memorial publication.

Source: https://www.fluorideresearch.online/epub/files/250.pdf

Aberdeen, WA Citizens Asked if They are Concerned About Fluoride

The people of Aberdeen, WA are being asked by their City Council, “Do you have concerns with fluoride being added to your water?” but have been given no information, either with the survey or in a press report on the matter, that there is a substantial body of evidence that low levels of fluoride, as found in municipal water supplies, can have a neurotoxic effect on the developing brains of children.

The KXRO radio website report, which serves as a semi-official means of distributing the survey to the public, is an example of the one-sided, half-truth approach to reporting on fluoridation. A pro-fluoridation bureaucrat makes an unquestioned statement. No opponent of the policy is quoted, and no mentioned is made of the recent landmark National Toxicology Program report that concluded, “This review finds, with moderate confidence, that higher fluoride exposure (e.g., represented by populations whose total fluoride exposure approximates or exceeds the World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality of 1.5 mg/L of fluoride) is consistently associated with lower IQ in children.”

The survey asks residents who do have concerns with fluoride being added to their water what aspects of the policy concern them: “What are your concerns with fluoride in drinking water? Health Risks, Safety Concerns, Taste, Overconsumption, Cost to the City” or fill in the blank. The choices listed do not include Lack of Consent, Misuse of Drinking Water or Distracts Attention from Dentists Who Won’t Take Medicaid.

The survey asks the public “Where do you get your information on fluoride?” The choices listed are Department of Health, Medical professionals, School or other educational environment, Social media, Internet resources, Family/Friends.” Not listed as choices are: the professional peer-reviewed literature, toxicologists, or the Aberdeen City Council itself.

The Council is expected to vote on whether to continue fluoridation on October 9.

Source: https://www.kxro.com/aberdeen-asking-residents-on-input-regarding-fluoride-in-city-water/

Lynden, Washington City Council Votes to Stop Fluoridation, but Mayor Vetos Decision for Now

The mayor of Lynden, WA, Scott Korthuis, has vetoed a City Council vote to ban water fluoridation in the town of 16,000 near the Canadian border. The Lynden City Council had previously voted 4 to 3 to end water fluoridation at its June 3 meeting. At the time, they also agreed to keep the fluoridation equipment in place for at least five years, and decided to continue to add the fluoridation chemical to the water supply for three to four months to get rid of the existing supply.

“Lynden is the only community in Whatcom County that adds fluoride to its municipal water supply to prevent tooth decay, and has been doing so since 1959,” according to the Cascadia Daily.

Reflecting the majority council vote on the matter, the paper reported, ““The [American Dental Association] gave us some information that said that the average kid is going to get two more cavities, 25 percent more cavities,” council member Lee Beld said. “That’s just not enough for me to look at somebody and say, ‘You’re going to take it no matter what.’ I think if you wanna go get it, we’re not keeping you from it, we’re just keeping you from the cheapest, most economical way for that to happen, and I accept that responsibility.”

The victory for the many Lynden residents who campaigned to end fluoridation was short-lived, as the Mayor published a message to the City Council the same day as the vote. Mayor Korthuis noted that of the 69 residents who commented on the policy, 37 favored retaining it and 31 wanted to end it.

Korthuis also found comfort in noting that people were not dying from fluoride poisoning, noting “If fluoride was as bad as it has been made out to be, you would think we would be dying from it at an earlier age, lowering this demographic. We also compare favorably with Bellingham, which has 31% of its population over the age of 65 compared to our 33%. We have more aged citizens in Lynden; we’re not dying young.”

In this message to the Council the mayor demonstrated no knowledge of the biggest concern over water fluoridation – that prenatal and early childhood exposure to fluoride concentrations found in municipal water supplies is associated with neurotoxic effects on the developing brains of children.

He wrote that he hoped the “remove group” would remain pleasant and courteous in light of his veto.

The City Council can override the Mayor’s veto with a 5 to 3 vote, or with just one additional vote beyond a majority of councilors present at the time of the vote. Local campaigners protested outside of the most recent council meeting, and urged the council to override the veto during the public comment period. The council has not brought the subject up yet. 

Sources:

1. https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2024/jun/04/lynden-will-end-adding-fluoride-to-drinking-water/?lp_txn_id=48660

2. https://salish-current.org/2024/07/03/mayor-korthuis-vetoes-lynden-fluoridation-ban/

Rockport, MA Narrowly Retains Fluoridation

In a result that shows the Cape Anne region remains the most active site in the state for efforts to repeal water fluoridation, town meeting advocates in Rockport lost by just five votes, 142-137 in their renewed efforts to end the practice there.

Reflecting the convoluted mechanisms at work in the state to end fluoridation, the town meeting vote asked the town to ask the State Legislature to allow a referendum on fluoridation. Rockport had previously approved such a request, but advocates of repeal lost the subsequent referendum.

In a manifestation of the anti-democratic ideology behind fluoridation, state law in Massachusetts was changed to allow the Board of Health to simply order fluoridation, but the law contains no provision to repeal the public policy. Lawsuits subsequently established that a city could petition the State Legislature to allow a referendum on the question. In municipalities that use the town meeting form of government this would then require people organizing twice to vote on the matter. 

•• Michael Dolan can be contacted at <mdolan.ecsn@outlook.com>

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