Lately, I have been researching water fluoridation a lot. I’m almost obsessed with it. The anti-water-fluoridationists are extremely vocal and passionate. Those who feel that water fluoridation is a good thing have very good arguments. I think I’m still a fence-sitter on this issue. I came across a map showing the levels of water fluoridation in 1992 and comparing them with 2006 levels of water fluoridation for all 50 states.
Whether or not you agree with water fluoridation in the United States, one thing is for certain: water fluoridation is growing.
The two maps below show the level of public water supplies that are fluoridated in all 50 states. The first map shows the percentage in 1992, and the second map shows the water fluoridation levels in 2006.
In case the map isn’t clear enough, here’s a table that shows the exact number of people that receive public water supplies and what percentage of those people receive fluoridated public water.
One of the objectives of the CDC’s Healthy People 2010 program is to have the water fluoridation levels in the United States reach 75%.
What are your thoughts? Do you think the growth in water fluoridation is a good or bad thing?
“International standards for drinking water
The WHO guideline value for fluoride in drinking water is 1.5 mg/l. Above 1.5 mg/l mottling of teeth may occur to an objectionable degree. Concentrations between 3 and 6 mg/l may cause skeletal fluorosis. Continued consumption of water with fluoride levels in excess of 10 mg/l can result in crippling fluorosis.
In many arid regions, drinking water is such a scarce commodity that governments have been forced to set the standard at higher levels, in order to have any drinking water at all.”
~Source: http://www.un-igrac.org/publications/150
Given that the recommendation is so close to the adverse affect level do athletes and outdoor workers who drink a lot have increased risk for fluorosis?
Peace and caution