Virginia Dep't of Health Report Doubts Fluoridation Safety

In 1980 the Virginia Department of Health asked toxicologist Brian Dementi. PhD, to review the available literature relating to the health effects of fluoride.  Dementi concluded: “With regard to fluoridation, this writer is of the opinion that the evidence of adverse health effects is of such magnitude and human beings so varied in their individual constitution, state of health at any moment, eating and drinking habits, etc., that it is inappropriate to say that fluoridation is a totally healthful and safe practice for all."

Further, Dementi writes, "Widespread exposure to fluoride coupled with an inadequate data base substantiating it to be safe is a cause of great concern.  The public consumes fluoride from drinking water, tooth paste, mouth washes, etc. with little or no advice as to how much fluoride is enough or too much. The evidence as cited herein indicates some adverse health or metabolic effects right at, or very close to, the 1 ppm level, with no margin of safety respecting such effects established of the nature generally sought for toxic substances. It is possible that many individuals out of the large number consuming fluoridated water are suffering in varying degrees health detriment attributable to this recognized toxic substance.”  http://www.scribd.com/doc/16925697/Dementi-Fluoride-Report

Dementi writes, “Every effort has been made in this report to adhere to the ideal of presenting only scientific information and discussion pertaining to it. “

‘This report is not complete. The evaluation of the health effects of fluoride must continue as long as the substance is found in drinking water, tooth paste, mouth rinses, etc., and concern exists as to its safety.”

‘Furthermore, where the kidney is concerned persons with impaired kidney function may suffer from acute fluoride toxicity when consuming water containing as little as 2 ppm fluoride”

‘The finding of Hirata in Japan of a decrease in white blood corpuscles and neutrophils in children of prepuberty age, which was correlateable with the extent of dental mottling observed where the drinking water containing 1-5 ppm fluoride, is a serious and important finding.”

‘There is the added question of Down’s syndrome to be reckoned with. Work has been cited showing a dose related association between fluoride and the incidence of Down’s syndrome where fluoride levels in the drinking water ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 ppm. Though this work has been seriously criticized, the fact remains that no study satisfactorily refutes the findings. The possibility of a fluoride related increased incidence of Down’s syndrome remains.”

'Since it appears that a serious question remains concerning a possible causative relationship between fluoride ingestion and Down's syndrome, one would think that, in view of the widespread human exposure, efforts directed toward obtaining definitive results should have been undertaken or certainly should be in progress."

‘The Physicians Desk Reference (1979) indicates fluoride may cause a variety of symptoms such as skin eruptions, eczema, gastric distress, headache, weakness, etc. in hypersensitive individuals.”

' Out of 110 million persons consuming water containing fluoride, there may be many experiencing such symptoms who have no idea that fluoride in the drinking water may be the cause.”

"In discussing the effects of fluoride upon the kidney, it seems appropriate at this point to indicate that whereas the kidney fulfills the important task of removing toxic substances, such as fluoride, from the system.  There is the consequent danger of fluoride tintoxication in those individuals with impaired renal function who ingest fluoride...It is evident that fluoridated water poses an enhanced threat to those among the populace who have impaired kidney function."

"In referring to average blood fluoride levels little consideration is given to individuals who, for one or more of a variety of reasons, may have fluoride levels well above the average...Arguments such as these suggest that fluoride levels in the blood of a certain fraction of human drinking fluoridated water may be within the range where perturbation of DNA repair is manifest and that at some point in the time such perturbations may have serious consequence.