Fluoride Lowers IQ, Studies Show

New York – August 14, 2008 -  Dr. Vyvyan Howard, a prominent fetal
toxicologist said in a recent  Canadian TV interview that current
brain/fluoride research convinces him that we should stop water
fluoridation.

Dr. Howard, President of the International Society of Doctors for the
Environment and Senior Lecturer, Developmental Toxico-Pathology,
University of Liverpool, England, made presentations at three Toronto
Canada meetings of the International Society of Fluoride Research,
Fluoride Action Network and the Citizens for a Safe Environment.

Studies done in several countries show that children’s IQ are likely
to be lower in high natural water fluoride areas, said Howard.  These
studies are plausible because fluoride is known to affect the thyroid
hormone which affects intelligence and fluoride is also a
neurotoxicant, said Howard. Such studies have not been conducted in
countries that artificially fluoridate the water such as the US, UK
and Canada, but should be, he said.

Howard’s assessments came before publication of “Fluoride and
Children’s Intelligence: A Meta-analysis” in Biological Trace Element
Research  by Tang et al concluding “A qualitative review of the
studies found a consistent and strong association between the exposure
to fluoride and low IQ." (e-published ahead of print 8/10/08)

"This new brain research together with the NRC's evidence of
fluoride's thyroid and bone damage and  the CDC's recommendation
against use of fluoridated water in infant formula as well as the
National Kidney Foundation's withdrawal of their fluoridation support
makes a strong case for ending  this 60-year-old fluoridation
experiment." says attorney Paul Beeber, President, New York State
Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc

Fluoride, added to water supplies ostensibly to prevent tooth decay,
is also in virtually all US non-organic foods and beverages from
pesticide residues and processing with fluoridated water.

 “There  have now been  over 40 animal studies which show that
fluoride can damage the brain, and no less than 18 studies which show
that fluoride lowers IQ in  children, and only 2 that don't,” says
Paul Connett, PhD,  Executive Director, Fluoride Action Network
(FAN).

In 2006, the U.S. National Research Council’s  (NRC) expert fluoride
panel  reviewed recent fluoride toxicology and concluded, “It’s
apparent that fluorides have the ability to interfere with the
functions of the brain.”

Michael Connett,  Project Director for the Fluoride Action Network co-
authored a poster presentation at the International Association of
Dental Research entitled, “Fluoride and its effect on human
intelligence.” which identified 20 ecological studies that purport an
association between high fluoride exposure and decreased human
intelligence.

"The weight of evidence that's on the table now says that, on a
precautionary basis, we should stop this practice (fluoridation),"
said Dr.  Howard.

FAN is now working on getting an additional 7 Chinese studies
published for the first time in English-language journals by the end
of the year. These additional studies include two studies showing that
fluoride can pass the placenta and damage the brain of the fetus, and
5 more studies finding a reduction in IQ among children exposed to
excess fluoride.

“The Canadian Dental Association says there is no evidence to support
the claims that fluoride in drinking water can lead to lower IQs,”
reported the Lethbridge Herald

Here’s the evidence:    http://www.FluorideAlert.org/brain

The President of the Ontario Dental Association further displayed
ignorance of current fluoride research, apparently widespread in the
dental community, when he insisted in the CTV broadcast that fluoride
incorporates into children's developing teeth to prevent decay.  That
theory was discarded long ago in favor of science which shows fluoride
gets into tooth enamel  by topical means alone.

A study by Yoder concluded, "The majority of dental professionals
surveyed were unaware of the current understanding of fluoride's
predominant posteruptive mode of action."

"No child is, or ever was, fluoride deficient.  In fact, the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control tells us that 1/3 of U.S school children
are fluoride-overdosed causing dental fluorosis - white spotted,
yellow, brown and/or pitted teeth. It's time to stop fluoridation,"
says Beeber.

After 60 years of water fluoridation, the CDC reports that 51% of 6 -
11 year-olds have cavities and 40% of 6 - 11 year-olds have fluorosis

 Short biography of Dr. Howard:  http://www.science.ulster.ac.uk/biomed/staff/howard_v.htm