WASHINGTON – Today the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released its review of the National Toxicology Program’s (NTP) draft monograph Systematic Review of Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Health Effects.

The committee that wrote the National Academies report was tasked with reviewing the monograph and focused on evaluating whether evidence as presented in the monograph supported NTP’s conclusions. The committee did not conduct its own independent evaluation of the evidence, and it did not conduct a data audit.

The National Academies report does not find that NTP has adequately supported its conclusion that “fluoride is presumed to be a cognitive neurodevelopmental hazard to humans.” The committee emphasized its finding does not mean that the NTP’s conclusion is incorrect; rather, further analysis or reanalysis is needed to support conclusions in the monograph.

The study — undertaken by the Committee to Review NTP Monograph on the Systematic Review of Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Health Effects — was sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The National Academies are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.

Contact:
Megan Lowry, Media Relations Officer
Office of News and Public Information
202-334-2138; e-mail news@nas.edu

*Original press release online at https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2020/03/national-academies-completes-review-of-national-toxicology-programs-draft-monograph-on-fluoride-and-neurodevelopmental-and-cognitive-effects?utm_source=NASEM+News+and+Publications&utm_campaign=a2631c9849-NAP_mail_new_2020_03_16&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_96101de015-a2631c9849-102149625&goal=0_96101de015-a2631c9849-102149625&mc_cid=a2631c9849&mc_eid=9d6e812a17