- Fluoride chemicals, combined with other water additives,
pull health-damaging lead from plumbing systems into drinking water, according
to University of North Carolina researchers reported a North Carolina newspaper
on May 18, 2005 (a). Fluoride is added to water supplies to prevent cavities,
not purify it as some believe.
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- A combination of chloramines and fluorosilicic acid,
especially with extra amounts of ammonia, leaches lead from meters, solder
and plumbing systems, according to Richard P. Maas, PhD and Steven C. Patch
PhD, co-directors of the Environmental Quality Institute at the University
of North Carolina, Asheville.
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- Chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, is
a water supply disinfectant. Fluorosilicic acid, the chemical used by over
91% of U.S. fluoridating communities, attempts to improve dental health
in those who drink it About 2/3 of U.S. public water supplies are fluoridated
but tooth decay remains a national epidemic, according to the U.S. Surgeon
General. (b)
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- Maas said, ìTests showed lead levels three and
four times higher in water with that combination of chemicals ÖAbout
500 systems, across the country, have switched to chloramine treatment
since 2001Öand most also use fluorosilicic acid,î according
to the North Carolina newspaper, the News & Observer.
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- Maas said this chemical interaction could be responsible
for the elevated lead levels recently plaguing Greenville, North Carolina
(c). Health authorities issued a lead advisory for water from the Greenville
Utilities Commission when elevated lead levels showed up in 26 of 106 sampled
homes.
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- Water leaving the plant and its distribution lines do
not contain lead. But testing showed two children with harmful lead levels,
leading health officials to speculate that corrosion of pipes within the
home may be the cause. Greenville authorities warned pregnant and breastfeeding
women and children under age six to avoid the tap water until it is tested
for lead.
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- Maas, who heads a lead poisoning prevention program in
Western North Carolina funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, said his lab has tested more than 150,000 homes across
the country in the past 18 years and found that 10 to 15 percent have a
significant lead contamination problem, according to the News & Observer
article.
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- ìNo amount of lead is safe for a young child's
developing brain,î says Paul Connett, PhD, Professor of environmental
chemistry and toxicology at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY and Executive
Director of the Fluoride Action Network.
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- ìIf this new data is confirmed, it will further
underscore the negligence of U.S. authorities using fluorosilicic acid
as a fluoridating agent in the absence of any research establishing the
safety of this particular fluoride chemical,î says Connett.
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- These new findings may help explain earlier published,
peer-reviewed research by Roger Masters, PhD of Dartmouth College and Michael
Coplan. Their studies show a link between water fluoridation status and
elevated blood lead in children. (d)
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- Elevated blood lead levels are linked to developmental
delays in children under age six and fetuses. Lead can adversely affect
almost every organ and system in the body. The most sensitive is the central
nervous system, particularly in children. Lead also damages kidneys and
the reproductive system. The effects are the same whether it is breathed
or swallowed.
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- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
"fluoride works primarily after teeth have erupted." (e)
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- "It really doesn't make any sense to ingest fluoride
chemicals, anyway. Fluoridation is an outdated concept, wastes money, jeopardizes
health and should be stopped everywhere," says Connett.
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- References:
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- (a) North Carolina News & Observer, "Water treatment
process called potential risk Chemicals' mix with plumbing could put lead
in tap water" newsobserver.com/news/health_science/story/2417101p-8794959c.html
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- (b) "First-ever Surgeon General's Report on Oral
Health Finds Profound Disparities in Nation's Population," News Release,
May 25, 2000 National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research nidcr.nih.gov/NewsAndReports/NewsReleases/NewsRelease05252000.htm
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- (c) "Pitt County Issues Advisory After Lead Discovered
In Children." May 3, 2005, WFMY News - Greensboro, NC wfmynews2.com/news/local_state/local_article.aspx?storyid=40346
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- (d). Masters RD, Coplan MJ, et al., "Association
of silicofluoride treated water with elevated blood lead," Neurotoxicology.
2000 Dec;21(6):1091-100
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- (e) "Recommendations for Using Fluoride to Prevent
and Control Dental Caries in the United States," August 2001 cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5014a1.htm
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- Contacts: Michael Connett, 802-355-0999, Project Director,
Fluoride Action Network, info@fluoridealert.org Dr. Paul Connett, Executive
Director, Fluoride Action Network, paul@fluoridealert.org Media Relations
Director, Fluoride Action Network, carol@fluoridealert.org
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- SOURCE: FLUORIDE ACTION NETWORK http://www.FluorideAlert.Org
PO Box 5111 Burlington VT 05402 E -mail: info@fluoridealert.org
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- © 2003-2005 Medical News Today
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- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=25017#
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