EPA should lower safe fluoride level goal in public drinking water systems to zero

New evidence indicating that EPA should lower its safe fluoride level goal in public drinking water systems to zero, will be presented by former EPA senior risk assessment scientist, William Hirzy PhD, at the Fluoride Action Network's (FAN) 5th Citizens' Conference and Lobby Day on Fluoride, September 5 – 8, at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency Hotel in Crystal City, VA. A press conference on September 5 will provide a preview (details below). 

While Israel has ended fluoridation last month (see Newsweek article) the EPA Office of Water continues to shamelessly drag its feet on this issue. In 2006, after reviewing fluoride's toxicity, the National Research Council told EPA it should lower fluoride's current maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) of fluoride in drinking water to protect health. But, after over 8 years, EPA has failed to do so. 

Dr. Hirzy says, "It's possible EPA is under political pressure to save the US fluoridation program, which is the addition of artificial fluoride chemicals into water supplies purportedly to reduce tooth decay. However, there is sufficient evidence to prove fluoridation can be harmful to health and should be stopped." 

The Safe Drinking Water Act requires the EPA to develop an MCLG for fluoride and other contaminants in drinking water. The MCLG is the level estimated by the EPA to be protective of the whole population (including the most vulnerable) from known and reasonably anticipated health effects. 

Nineteen studies indicate that fluoride interferes with animals' learning and memory and 39 studies indicate an association between fluoride exposure and lower IQs in children. Chinese medical researcher, Professor Quanyong Xiang, will discuss his work at the FAN conference showing that fluoride lowers IQ at modest water concentrations after adjusting for lead and arsenic levels and controlling for iodine exposure. 

According to FAN director Paul Connett, PhD, "Professor Xiang's visit to DC could not have come at a better time. Promoters of fluoridation distribute misleading and inaccurate information to the media and to decision-makers on the IQ studies. There are few researchers in the world better qualified to set the record straight on this critically important research than Quanyong Xiang."

Dr. Hirzy will present a risk assessment for developmental neurotoxicity based on Xiang's work and the work of researchers at Harvard School of Public Health who published a meta-analysis of 27 neurotoxicity studies, 26 of which showed lower IQs among children exposed to higher fluoride levels than control children exposed to lower levels.

Source: Fluoride Action Network