Compiled by Michael F. Dolan, PhD
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Most Studies Find a Negative Association Between Dental Fluorosis and Quality of Life
Writing in Clinical Oral Investigations (October 17th), dental researchers from several Brazilian universities report that the majority of studies they examined on a possible association between having dental fluorosis and one’s Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) found a negative effect.
“A negative association between dental fluorosis and OHRQoL was found in 9 of the included studies, a positive association was found in 1 study, and no significative association was identified in 6 studies,” report the authors.
They noted, “Dental fluorosis is asymptomatic and its negative effect on the oral health-related quality of life has been investigated in recent years through the aesthetic perception of individuals about this condition. Feelings of anguish, worry, and difficulty in smiling expressed by children with dental fluorosis have been mentioned, especially at more severe levels.”
“In Colombia, only 25% of those examined with mild dental fluorosis recognized their teeth as “ugly”. In Brazil, only 40.1% of children aged 12 years, with mild and very mild dental fluorosis, noticed stains on their teeth” report the authors.
Despite finding widespread evidence that dental fluorosis causes “anguish” in children, the dental researchers conclude, “Dental caries preventive fluoridated measures might be indicated even if there would be a risk for mild dental fluorosis as (sic) the fluoridated public water.”
Source: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-024-05991-x
Hydroxyapatite-Based Products That Lack Fluoride are Effective in Reducing Tooth Decay
An updated systematic review and meta-analysis that considers evidence published in the last three years has found more support for the claim that fluoride-free dental care products made with hydroxyapatite are effective in reducing dental decay.
The authors, including retired University of Toronto dental professor Hardy Limeback, examined clinical trials and in situ studies using enamel slabs, and concluded, “The evidence for the effectiveness of fluoride-free, hydroxyapatite-containing oral care products in reducing dental caries, both from RCTs [randomized control trials] and in situ clinical trials, has expanded. More studies now show that hydroxyapatite is effective as an anti-caries active ingredient in the absence of fluoride.”
“As a sole active ingredient, considered safe if swallowed, hydroxyapatite is an ideal substitute for fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash tailored for young children,” noted the authors in their paper accepted for publication in the Journal of Dentistry.
Regarding the mechanism of hydroxyapatite’s (HAP) effectiveness, the authors write, “In particular, we have shown in this review that HAP promotes remineralization of enamel, prevents enamel mineral loss, and impairs bacterial adherence to enamel as well as other intraoral surfaces, thus reducing biofilm in the oral cavity.”
Source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105429
Australian Aboriginal Communities Sent Bottled Water After U.S. Fluoride Hazard Report
he Northern Territory communities of Nyirripi and Alpurrurulam (Lake Nash) have been sent bottled water so residences can avoid naturally occurring fluoride in their drinking water.
“New research by the United States government has linked high fluoride exposure to lower IQs in children,” reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation October 31.
“Michaeline Gallagher, a Nyirripi community leader who works at the local school, said residents were furious they were only warned about the dangers of elevated fluoride exposure for the first time at a meeting in October,” reported the broadcaster.
A 2023 Northern Territory Supreme Court ruling held that public landlords were “legally required to provide safe drinking water to its tenants.”
Aboriginal communities in this Australian state also suffer from uranium, manganese and nitrate in their water supplies.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-01/fluoride-drinking-water-issues-nt-communities/104538948
Citing Worker Safety and Costs, Evergreen, Colorado to End Fluoridation
he Evergreen Metropolitan District (EMD) in Colorado will stop fluoridating its water supply to avoid harm to its workers and to cut costs in remodeling its water plant, according to an October 31 report in the Denver Gazette.
“The driving factor for discontinuing the fluoridation of the EMD drinking water is for the safety of the water treatment plant operators,” reported the paper, citing a District memo. “The chemical used for fluoride addition is sodium fluorosilicate, a fine, white, odorless powder. It is toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin, or inhaled. It is one of the most dangerous chemicals handled by operators at the water treatment plant.”
The District’s Water Department also noted, ““Eliminating fluoridation from future design plans saves on engineering and operational costs while enabling a safer environment for the operators.”
“Proponents of community water fluoridation point to the public dental health and economic benefit of reducing cavities,” the district’s memo stated. “However, given the prevalence of fluoride in toothpaste and modern accessibility of dental care, and the safety concerns for those making Evergreen’s water safe, the decision was made to stop adding fluoride to the drinking water.”
Recycling Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Poses Fluorine Pollution Problems
As lithium-ion batteries become more widely used in consumer electronics, electric vehicles and energy storage, researchers are realizing the difficulties posed by fluoride chemicals that are used to enhance battery performance as these products are increasingly recycled.
In a detailed review of the problem in Separation and Purification Technology, scientists from Tongji University in Shanghai note, “It can be seen that fluorinated substances have played an indispensable role in the development of lithium-ion battery technology. By incorporating fluorinated substances or directly fluorinating certain components of the battery, the mechanical strength of the electrode materials can be enhanced, as well as their electronic conductivity and lithium-ion transport efficiency.”
They add, “The development of advanced fluorine- containing materials has become a key driver for the advancement of high-performance lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology. With the widespread use of fluorine-containing materials in LIBs, the increase in fluorine content has become a trend, which also foreshadows significant challenges in the monitoring and disposal of fluorine-containing pollutants during future battery recycling stages.”
In reviewing the literature, the scientists note six areas of concern (quoting):
-the diversity of battery types and the confidentiality of ingredient formulations within batteries pose obstacles to risk assessment and pollution management during recycling.
-the fluorine pollution generated during thermal runaways has not received adequate attention, and related emergency pollution control measures are deficient.
-research on the side reactions between fluorine-containing waste gases and other battery components is inadequate.
-there currently exists a gap in technologies specifically designed to treat the low-concentration fluorinated wastewater that arises during the battery recycling process.
-[there is a need to] explore the possibility of utilizing residual fluorine- containing substances as resources.
-the policy and regulatory framework for the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries needs to be further refined.
Source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2024.130283
•• Michael Dolan can be contacted at <mdolan.ecsn@outlook.com>