Abstract

Both exposure to fluoride and iodine deficiency during early development can lead to disturbed thyroid hormone metabolism and produce the same spectrum of developmental disorders including short stature, bone deformities, cognitive impairment, delayed dental eruption, and dental fluorosis. The levels of creatinine-adjusted urinary fluoride experienced by pregnant women in areas with community water fluoridation are similar to those which have been found to result in cognitive impairment and increased attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms as a result of prenatal fluoride exposure. The link between fluoride exposure during pregnancy at the fluoride levels present with community water fluoridation, disturbed thyroid hormones, and developmental disorders due to disturbed thyroid hormone metabolism is now sufficiently clear to warrant the immediate cessation of community water fluoridation schemes.