M. Ally
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008
History of Fluoride in Water
In 1950, Bruce D. Forsyth, the chief dental officer of the United States Public
Health Service advised the American Dental Association (ADA) to fluoridate
public water supply. The first implementation of fluoride in water occurred in
Grand Rapids, Michigan. The experiment found that fluoride greatly increases
cavity protection among young children. As a result, water fluoridation was being
widely implemented by 50 million people in 1960. By 2002, 46 of the largest
cities were fluoridated, a population of 171 million.
Fluoridation of water was on a pace to reach 350 million
people worldwide by 2010. Many viewed the rapid
progress as a communist plot because it denied people
their rights and caused side effects.
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008
Fluoride: A Step Forward?
Fluoride was implemented to reduce the risk of cavity and tooth decay. A 10 year
study was conducted with fluoridated water in Newsburgh, New York and the
results showed that the children had 58% less cavities than the children in
Kingston, New York, only 35 miles away where the water was not fluoridated.
Jayanth V. Kumar, director of oral health surveillance and
research at the New York State Department of Health,
says, “We feel there are enough communities out there
with high success rates to justify additional fluoridation.”
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008
Fluoride binds itself to tooth enamel and forms a protective shield to make the
tooth resistant to decay. Fluoride is found naturally in raisins, shellfish, teas, and
many more products we use everyday. Those who use bottle water, such as Dasani
and Aquafina, could be risking their oral health. Also, most of today’s toothpastes
and mouthwashes contain fluoride to help fight cavities. Surgeon General Richard
H. Carmona states, “Fluoridation is the single most effective public health
measure to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health over a lifetime, for both
children and adults.” According to federal standard, the highest level of fluoride
is 4 parts per million (ppm), but the level in tap water is regulated to 2
ppm.
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008
Fluoride: A Step Backward?
The most prominent downside to fluoridating water
is the side effects, which can include bone cancer
and heart disease. A study reported that more
than 99% of fluoride not digested ends up in
bones and teeth. In a 1990 study by the National
Toxicology Program, 5 out of 100 male rats
developed bone cancer when fed large doses of
fluoride. The National Research Council found that
fluoride, ironically, causes dental fluorosis to a small
number of users. Avid Carlsson, winner of the 2000
Nobel Prize in Medicine, states, “Fluoridation is
against all principles of modern pharmacology. It’s
really obsolete.”
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008
CLICK ME!!!
About 25% of Americans under 40 have dental fluorosis. A group of 600
professionals urged Congress to reconsider the fluoridation of drinking water,
stating that the evidence against fluoride outweighs the benefits. Fluoride
can also deplete the fluids of the human body. “It is time for the US and the
few remaining fluoridating countries to recognize that fluoridation is
outdated, has serious risks, violates sound medical ethics and denies freedom
of choice. Fluoridation must be ended now.”
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008
Fluoride: The Social Impact
Today, we use tap water in cooking, bathing, drinking, and many other
activities. On realizing that fluoride can harmfully effect us, we become
hesitant in our daily activities. We are unsure as to whether it is safe for us
and our children to use fluoridated water. Is it time to stop fluoridating
water? Will the lack of fluoride cause any harmful effect to us?
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008
In this age and time, society is more health-conscious.
We care more about our health and appearance than
the generations before us. There are products, such as
teeth-whitening strips and toothpaste with fluoride,
that we use to enhance our health and appearance.
But, there is the possibility that drinking fluoridated
tap water can counter these products and the strive
towards a healthy body. Furthermore, it can harm our internal organs that are
very vital to our survival. Is fluoride acting against our efforts to a better
lifestyle or is it assisting us in reaching our goal?
How can we find out more about fluoride and its
positive and negative side effects?
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008
Conclusion
Fluoridation of water has both its positive and negative side effects. To
increase the positive and reduce the negative, fluoride content levels in
water should be lowered. Steven M. Levy of the University of Iowa College
of Dentistry says, “Instead of just pushing for more fluoride, we need to
find the right balance.” So how can we, as society, help “find the right
balance.” First of all, we need to learn more about fluoride and encourage
the research behind it. Also, we need to make others aware of the danger
fluoride poses and encourage them to join the effort in lowering the
fluoride content in public water so we and the coming generations can
enjoy a safe and healthy lifestyle.
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008
References
Fagin, D. (2008). Second thoughts about fluoride. Scientific American, 298(1), 74-81.
Leitzell, K. (2008). Fears over fluoride. U.S. News & World Report, 144(6), 57.
Lennon, M. A. (2006). One in a million: The first community trial of water
fluoridation. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 84(9), 759-760.
Worsnop, R. L. (1994). Water quality. CQ Researcher Online, 4, Retrieved March 17,
2008, from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1994021100
(2007). Congress urged to stop fluoridating drinking water. Chemical Engineer,
(795), 14.
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008
Pictures, Videos, Sounds
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http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/results.aspx?qu=water&sc=24
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www.iowastormwater.org/.../Water%20Rippling.jpg
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http://seanmunoz.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/image-80-tap-water.gif
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http://www.whiteakoteeth.com/images/white-teeth.jpg
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http://z.about.com/d/thyroid/1/0/f/W/toothpaste.jpg
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ys9q1cvKGk
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http://www.equinox-products.com/images/FluorideMaster/DentalFluorosis/MottledTeeth1.jpg
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http://gear.dyndns.org/~spencer/Images/fluorosis%20teeth8.jpg
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http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen/images/refimages/kitchen_advice/fruit_veg/peas/prep%20and%20c
ook/black%20eyed%20peas/boiling_pour_water.jpg
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http://www.more4kids.info/UserFiles/Image/girl-drinking-water.jpg
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http://z.about.com/d/homerepair/1/0/e/1/-/-/Showerhead.jpg
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http://assets.kaboose.com/media/00/00/03/5e/5f69eb091b9c207ac05df64431dfed9eaf6fbb33/476x357/LI
S-QDS-RT-ANGLE-W-NEW_476x357.jpg
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http://www.healthinajiffy.co.uk/images/aquafresh%20mild%20n%20minty%2050ml.jpg
Mercer University School of Engineering
EGR 108 Professional Practices Spring 2008