NEWS HEADLINES: New CDC Findings – Common Additive Lowers IQ in Children

The CDC has acknowledged fluoride in tap water as a neurotoxin linked to lower IQ in children, but the controversy doesn’t end there.

At a Glance

• A U.S. government report links fluoride in drinking water at twice the recommended limit with lower IQ in children
• This is the first time a federal agency has determined a link between higher fluoride levels and lower IQ in kids with “moderate confidence”
• Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities, considered a major public health achievement
• The report released by the National Toxicology Program calls for more research on fluoride’s health effects

CDC Warns of Fluoride’s Dangers to Children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledged that fluoride in tap water may pose neurotoxic risks and be linked to lower IQ in children. The recognition came from analyses conducted by the agency’s Oral Health Division, led by Casey Hannan.

The latest findings highlight the potential cognitive impairments caused by fluoride exposure, particularly affecting infants and young children. Recommendations to lower fluoride levels have been issued, but comprehensive safety guidelines are still absent.

This revelation marks the first time a federal agency has determined with “moderate confidence” a link between higher fluoride levels and lower IQ in children. The National Toxicology Program, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, based their report on previously published research, including international studies from Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Mexico.

The report noted consistent associations between drinking water with more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter and lower IQs in children. However, the exact IQ points lost weren’t quantified.

Conventional Medicine Stands by Water Fluoridation Even After Report Links Fluoride with Lower IQ in Children
Report published years after efforts to suppress it failed
Conclusion: that fluoride exposure in drinking water consistently linked to lower IQhttps://t.co/32hE6P0b6w

— Steve Scrutton (@stevescrutton) August 27, 2024

Fluoride’s Dual Role in Public Health

While fluoride addition to drinking water is credited with strengthening teeth and reducing cavities, deemed a major public health achievement, concerns about overexposure are on the rise. Federal officials endorsed water fluoridation in 1950 to prevent tooth decay, and it has since been implemented in numerous countries. Despite the recognized dental benefits, chronic exposure to high fluoride levels may negatively impact cognitive function, warranting further investigation.

“Since fluoride is such an important topic to the public and to public health officials, it was imperative that we made every effort to get the science right.”

The report’s findings drew attention to the need for updated safety guidelines concerning fluoride levels in drinking water. Since 2015, the recommended fluoridation level has been 0.7 milligrams per liter, down from the previous upper range of 1.2. The World Health Organization’s safe limit stands at 1.5 milligrams per liter. About 0.6% of the U.S. population, or 1.9 million people, are on water systems with naturally occurring fluoride levels of 1.5 milligrams or higher.

See also

News Headlines

·10/07/2024·0

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A U.S. government report concluded that fluoride in drinking water at twice the recommended limit is linked with lower IQ in children. About 1.9 million people in the U.S. have water with naturally occurring fluoride levels of 1.5 milligrams or higher. https://t.co/AFtpsvl0zg

— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) August 22, 2024

Future Studies and Health Policies

Noticeably, the report did not conclude on the risks of lower levels of fluoride or its effects on adults, signifying a demand for more research. The American Dental Association, a strong advocate for water fluoridation, is currently reviewing the report. Comprehensive meta-analyses such as this one are crucial for planning better studies and improving our understanding of fluoride’s broader health consequences.

“Fluoride seems to fit in with lead, mercury, and other poisons that cause chemical brain drain,” Grandjean says. “The effect of each toxicant may seem small, but the combined damage on a population scale can be serious, especially because the brain power of the next generation is crucial to all of us.”

The ongoing debate concerning water fluoridation underscores the importance of informed policy discussions. Policymakers may soon need to address labeling fluoride content on beverages to better inform the public. As the science continues to evolve, public health officials and policymakers must weigh fluoride’s dental benefits against its potential neurotoxic risks to ensure the well-being of future generations.