NEW YORK, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ — The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has suspended fluoridation for approximately four months while they “complete critical system repairs,”(1) reports the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation (NYSCOF).
Fluoride added to NYC’s drinking water is ineffective at reducing tooth decay in modern times(2), wastes millions of dollars of shrinking city funds(4) and may increase children’s blood lead levels(3).
In 1984, New York City spent 2.4 million dollars on fluoridation chemicals, equipment and manpower, according to a DEP letter answering a NYSCOF freedom of information request(4). Now fluoride chemicals, alone, cost the city $6 million annually, The Sun newspaper reports(4a).
Despite fluoridation, low-income northern Manhattan pre-schoolers have significantly more cavities than pre-schoolers nationwide and average more tooth decay than the entire U.S. population(5) which is only 55.9% fluoridated, reports a 2002 “Pediatric Dentistry” research article. Also, NYC African-American adults studied have more cavities than all adults nationally, reports “Dental Clinics of North America,” January 2003(6). NYC’s fluoridation additive, hydrofluosilicic acid, an untested silicofluoride(6a), is linked to children’s higher blood lead levels, according to studies by Masters and Coplan(7). And higher blood lead levels are linked to tooth decay in several other studies(8).
“Statistics show that where silicofluorides are used, rates of violent crime, learning disabilities, and substance abuse are significantly increased (taking other risk factors into account). We don’t find these effects where sodium fluoride is used,” says Roger Masters, Research Professor, Dartmouth College, co-author of the silicofluoride/lead studies.
“Fluoridation must permanently stop. Many vital city services are being cut that could actually help poor children. Yet millions are wasted on fluoridation that has proven ineffective and harmful,” says lawyer Paul Beeber, President, NYSCOF.
Overingestion of fluoride is a growing U.S. health problem(9) indicated by increased dental fluorosis – white spotted, yellow or brown and sometimes pitted teeth. Yet tooth decay rates are climbing(10).
Ingestion of fluoride was thought to incorporate into children’s developing teeth to shield against tooth decay. Science disproved that theory.
Fluoride’s enamel hardening effects occur topically, on the outside of the tooth.
“Unfortunately, swallowing or absorbing fluoride can lead to adverse effects such as dental fluorosis, lead uptake, thyroid dysfunction, bone fractures, allergic and intolerant effects and more,” says Beeber.
“We urge everyone who lives, works, visits or consumes water-containing food and beverages made in NYC to write the Mayor and council members. Tell them to save your money, protect your health and stop fluoridation forever,” says Beeber.
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Mayor Bloomberg: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html
NYC Council: http://www.council.nyc.ny.us/committees/index.cfm?page=members
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(1) http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/news/depnewsframeset.html
(2) http://home.earthlink.net/~svtbass/html/floride.html
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=
Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11233755&dopt=Abstract
(4) 10/10/85 and 10/25/85 letters from Mekenian, NYC DEP, to Paul S. Beeber, NYSCOF
(4a) http://www.nysun.com/sunarticle.asp?artID=503
(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=
Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12064497&dopt=Abstract
(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=
Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12519005&dopt=Abstract
(6a) http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/htdocs/Chem_Background/
ExSumPDF/Fluorosilicates.pdf
(7) http://www.dartmouth.edu/~rmasters/AHABS/SiFpubs.html
(8) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=
Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12540251&dopt=Abstract
(9) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=
Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11868834&dopt=Abstract
(10) http://www.enn.com/direct/display-release.asp?objid=
D1D1364E000000F2EE0890FC67290931
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