CDC Under Formal Investigation for Covering Hidden Dangers of Fluoride

The Center for Disease Control's (CDC) standing position was that fluoride is safe and effective in preventing cavities and should be added to drinking water. However, new findings by the US Department of Agriculture and the National Research Council reveal the health risks of adding fluoride to drinking water. The CDC Public Health Ethics Committee has received a formal complaint because the CDC and its employees have held to their position when new research has shown otherwise. This is a health concern for all Americans, but specifically those that are in one of the categories most at risk.

Americans that are particularly susceptible and vulnerable to the harms of fluoride include diabetics, persons with kidney disease, seniors, children, athletes, and outdoor workers. An overexposure to fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, a permanent staining or pitting of the teeth when children's permanent teeth are not yet in. This seems to be a large problem especially among minority populations exposed to fluoride in drinking water.

Healthy kidneys can remove about half of the fluoride consumed, but for the unhealthy and elderly the fluoride builds up in one's system. They are not able to effectively process and remove fluoride. Bones and teeth can be drastically affected. Removing fluoride from water requires an expensive purification system or purchasing bottled, fluoride free water; neither of which is easily available.

The difference between toxic and therapeutic doses of this element is small and people have little or no way of monitoring or reducing their intake. The safety margin is small and now it is being discovered that the benefits are not what we once thought. Drinking water is the primary source of fluoride among Americans but it is also used as a preservative and ingredient in other items including black and red tea and tobacco. Most toothpaste on the market today also contains fluoride.

Earlier this year, the CDC did change their stance on the use of fluoride in drinking water, but this was not made public. They quietly changed their position and did not inform the general public. Not even a press release was issued.

The CDC has a reputation as a world renowned health agency and is therefore being ethically challenged for putting the health of so many at risk. For both the actions committed by the CDC and those responsibilities to the public that were not fulfilled, the CDC has been accused of serious breaches of the public trust.

List of Sources

http://www.fluoridealert.org/cdc.ethics.complaint.aug.13.2007.pdf

www.fluoridealert.org