Our public health and government officials are doing nothing to warn women, expecting parents, or decision-makers in fluoridated communities about the new research linking fluoride exposure during pregnancy to lowered IQ. If they won’t, we will.
Letters to the Editor present the voice of the community, and reflect the feelings of residents, rather than advertisers and journalists. They give any citizen the opportunity to speak simultaneously to a large number of their neighbors, local decision-makers, and local journalists.
Please help warn your community about the danger posed to children by fluoride. Send a letter to the editor of your local newspapers using our automated system or by cutting and pasting from the PDF versions of our sample letters provided below the following suggestions.
Suggestions for writing Letters-to-the-Editor
- Keep letters-to-editors between 100-350 words. Even better, find the specific word limit for your local papers; it’s usually found in their opinion section whether online or in the paper version.
- Use short paragraphs. Big blocks of text are unappealing to readers.
- Always include your full name, address, email, and phone number when making a submission. Most newspapers require this information.
- Be professional. Focus on health, scientific, and ethical arguments, and provide a reference for at least the primary research you highlight. Avoid personal attacks and conspiratorial language.
- Compose the letter with the assumption that readers know nothing about your topic, read at an 8th grade level, and understand only basic scientific concepts and language.
- State clearly–right at the beginning–the main point you want readers to remember above all else.
- Tie the letter to the community, a recently published article or letter in that paper, or something timely. Editors prefer issues and topics that are hot for that money, or at least clearly relevant to the community. An easy way to do this is mention from the start that, 1. the community is currently fluoridated, 2. a recent study has been published showing harm, and 3. that officials in your community have yet to educate the public.
- Don’t write to the same paper too frequently. Consider sending only one letter per month to each publication. You will get ignored if you become a nuisance for the opinion editor. However, if your letter isn’t published after 10 days, it is acceptable to reach out to the opinion-section staff personally by phone or email asking why.
Sample Letters to Use:
Moms2B Warning LTE #1: 300 words
Automated Template
PDF Version
Moms2B Warning LTE #2: 250 words
Automated Template
PDF Version
Moms2B Customizable Letter
Automated Template
PDF Version
Published Examples
To inspire you, here are examples of letters and Op-Eds on fluoride during pregnancy that have been published. If your letter gets published, please send FAN a link to the online version or a photo of the paper version so we can share it below. Email: stuart@fluoridealert.org
Fluoride Linked to Lower IQ’s in Children
Christine Massey, Mississauga News (Ontario, Canada)
Pregnant Women Should Avoid Fluoride
Eloise Kailin, Peninsula Daily News (Washington, U. S.)
IQ Losses Continue to Haunt Fluoride
Rick North, Lund Report (Oregon, U.S.)
Study Deals Blow to Fluoridation
Jack Crowther, Rutland Herald (Vermont, U.S.)
There are Better Options Than Fluoride
John Mueller, Tulsa World (Oklahoma, U.S.)
The Major Fluoride Risk Study You Never Heard Of
Rick North, BlueOregon.com (Oregon, U.S.)
Uncomfortable Reading
Kallie Miller, London Free Press (Ontario, Canada)
Fluoride May do More Harm Than Good
Carol Kopf, MV Times (Massachusetts, U.S.)
See also:
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