KU prof among hundreds demanding hearings on fluoride / LJWorld.com

Archive for Saturday, August 11, 2007

August 11, 2007

A wide-ranging group of physicians, environmentalists, dentists and scientists - including a Kansas University professor emeritus - have called on Congress to stop water fluoridation.

The group of 600 professionals said congressional hearings should be held because recent reports indicate fluoridation has no benefits and may pose health risks.

Most water supplies in the United States, including Lawrence, have fluoride added in an effort to reduce tooth decay.

But some say fluoride isn't safe.

"Fluoridation is against all principles of modern pharmacology," said Arvid Carlsson, winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize for Medicine. "It's really obsolete."

Albert W. Burgstahler, professor emeritus of chemistry at KU, has been a longtime critic of fluoride.

Burgstahler co-wrote "Fluoridation: The Great Dilemma," serves as editor of the quarterly journal "Fluoride" and was a founding member of the anti-fluoridation Fluoride Action Network.

"Why are so many public health officials afraid to admit they could be wrong about things they have stuck their neck out on?" Burgstahler said. "Does their desire to preserve their credibility mean more to them than the well-being and good health of their fellow citizens?"

The group issued a statement that cites a 2006 report by the National Research Council on fluoride toxicology.

"The NRC report dramatically changed scientific understanding of fluoride's health risks," said Paul Connett, executive director of the Fluoride Action Network.

Federal health authorities and the American Dental Association, however, strongly support fluoridation.

Discussion

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11 August 2007
at 3:06 a.m.

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Danny_4 (Anonymous) says…

Fluoride has Nothing to do with Health… The REAL Motives for Dumping it in Drinking Water & or any other Food Sources, is done for the Benefit of Economical, Big Industry, Control + Stupifying, slowly Sickening + Chopping down the Population. A True Historical Fact, how People were Tricked into believing, that Swallowing this Industrial Waste is sooo good for them… The Wicked will NOT be able to disprove this Fact, however Disturbing this may be to them, or if they'll Blow a Fuse/ Gasket or two… Edward L. Bernays was a Key Figure, who started Promoting the Fluoride Waste Propaganda, in order to Protect Big Industry… “For over 100 Years, Science and Medicine have understood the Poisonous Nature of Fluoride. In the 1930's and 40's, Giant US Companies, e.g. ALCOA, were sued for Millions of Dollars, due to their Toxic Fluoride Waste escaping from Factory Smokestacks killing Crops and Livestock. ALCOA's Owners Mellon figured that, if People could be Persuaded or Tricked, that Fluoride isn't Poisonous at all, but is so good for the Teeth, Giant Profits could then be Protected! So, to Introduce Water Fluoridation, they Hired the Brilliant ' Father of Propaganda' Edward L. Bernays. Joined later by other Fluoride Polluting Industries e.g. Nuclear and the Multi-Billion Dollar Sugar, Toothpaste, Confectionery and Soft Drink Industries, they became Strong Financial Supporters of Dental Associations, that Promoted Fluoridation. One such support Group, the Dental Health Education & Research Foundation, was founded in Australia in 1962 DHERF's Goveners,Members and Doners have Included Key Representatives from Coco-Cola, CSR, Kellogs, Colgate-Palmolive, Wrigleys, Arnotts, Scanlens, Cadbury Schweppes, etc”. The Perpetrators deserve to be put to Justice & Reap their very own Medicine!
11 August 2007
at 6:54 a.m.

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PeteJayhawk (Anonymous) says…

General Jack D. Ripper: Mandrake, do you realize that in addition to fluoridating water, why, there are studies underway to fluoridate salt, flour, fruit juices, soup, sugar, milk… ice cream. Ice cream, Mandrake, children's ice cream.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Lord, Jack.
General Jack D. Ripper: You know when fluoridation first began?
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: I… no, no. I don't, Jack.
General Jack D. Ripper: Nineteen hundred and forty-six. Nineteen forty-six, Mandrake. How does that coincide with your post-war Commie conspiracy, huh? It's incredibly obvious, isn't it? A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly without any choice. That's the way your hard-core Commie works.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Uh, Jack, Jack, listen, tell me, tell me, Jack. When did you first… become… well, develop this theory?
General Jack D. Ripper: Well, I, uh… I… I… first became aware of it, Mandrake, during the physical act of love.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Hmm.
General Jack D. Ripper: Yes, a uh, a profound sense of fatigue… a feeling of emptiness followed. Luckily I… I was able to interpret these feelings correctly. Loss of essence.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Hmm.
General Jack D. Ripper: I can assure you it has not recurred, Mandrake. Women uh… women sense my power and they seek the life essence. I, uh… I do not avoid women, Mandrake.
Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: No.
General Jack D. Ripper: But I… I do deny them my essence.
11 August 2007
at 6:56 a.m.

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PeteJayhawk (Anonymous) says…

Side note: Why do the crazies always use bizarre capitalization in their rants?
11 August 2007
at 7:07 a.m.

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nyscof (Anonymous) says…

All the organizations who support fluoridation should be polled to find out if their members still support water fluoridation. Usually, when a vote was taken, it is of only their Boards' of Directors, who often do not reflect the majority of their organizations.

The vote was also requested by people who favor fluoridation who presented only their slanted evidence. At the same time, fluoridationists denigrate those of us opposed to fluoridation so, in effect, they shut out the most recent scientific information showing fluoride's adverse health effects.

Professionals in all areas whose organizations have endorsed fluoridation should force their leadership to rethink their position and force their union leaders to provide all their members with scientifically-valid evidence that water fluoridation is safe and effective for every American. They won't find such evidence

Fluoride is the most widely prescribed drug in America without informed consent and without monitoring for side effects and is dispense based on thirst not on need, body weight, health or presence of teeth.

These brave 600 professionals have gone public that they have read the new scientific literature and found fluoridation an unsound medical practice that should be discontinued.
It's up to the MD's DDS's PhD'sand other health and medical professionals to take a stand against fluoridation afterreading both sides of the issue. Then to be included in this special 600 and let's all work together to get fluoridation stopped.

Fluoridation was a huge mistake undertaken by well-meaning people who, still, can't believe science is not on their side, but who are afraid to actually read the literature and come out of their comfort zone and/or have to admit they were wrong.

Science is always evolving. Just like misinformation got us into the Iraq war, misinformation got us into the fluoridation fiasco. It's not too late to fix that mistake. Fluoridation chemicals are in short supply. Let's just say we can't get the chemical anymore and call it a day.

Fluoridation 101
http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof

Fluoridation News Releases
http://tinyurl.com/6kqtu

Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas
http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/

Fluoride Action Network http://www.FluorideAction.Net

Fluoride Journal http://www.FluorideResearch.Org
11 August 2007
at 7:13 a.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

My gods, I just wrote to David Brewer. Just now!
He is a pretty nice fella.

“How much money per year would Lawrence save if we just stopped flouridating the drinking water? I would like to know.
Your water turned my son's teeth gray for a while. Now we get our drinking water from (elsewhere). and the grayness is completely gone from his teeth.
Why don't we just stop buying flouride and putting it in the drinking water?
Why doesn't Lawrence take a healthful stand on this issue? I am all for takings stands for health and welfare of the community.
Let's just get it done now.”

600 pros urge Congress to stop fluoridation
Docs, dentists, scientists cite new evidence of serious health risks, ineffectiveness
Posted: August 10, 2007
1:08 p.m. Eastern
Â© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/art…

Fluoride in Drinking Water:
A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record…
11 August 2007
at 7:17 a.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

I don't go to Dentists who support flouridation of drinking water.

But I will tell you this: the brainwash within the dental community is certainly very daunting. There are few dentists in this town that have made an effort to do their own research into the effects of flouride in the drinking water.

I suggest you boycott all dentists who support flouridation of drinking water, for they are not our friends.
11 August 2007
at 7:33 a.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

“Usually, when a vote was taken, it is of only their Boards' of Directors, who often do not reflect the majority of their organizations.”

Sounds just like the GOP.

Here are some bookmarks I have been collecting:

Let's face it, even our dentists don't know a lot about the physical need for flouride. They are looking at new ways to assess a child's need for flouride.

“testing doctors' fluroide savvy. Because most children don't visit a dentist until around age 3, family physicians and pediatricians have an important role to play in assessing youngsters' oral health and educating their parents about tooth decay prevention. Professor Amid Ismail and colleagues surveyed about 2,400 physicians nationwide to find out how well they're able to carry out that role. In particular, the researchers wanted to know whether doctors consider a child's risk of developing dental caries (tooth decay) when recommending fluoride supplements.

They gave the doctors a questionnaire that included two case scenarios–one for an upper middle class child with no dental problems, the other for a child in a low-income family with visible dental caries–and asked what they would recommend. The researchers then compared the physicians' answers with “gold standard” answers provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Oral Health.

Of the 1,045 physicians who filled out and returned the questionnaire, most had a general understanding of the importance of fluoride in preventing tooth decay, but they failed to base their recommendations on the individual child's current needs or risk of developing caries in the future.

“Even though we had two scenarios–one child who doesn't need much care right now and one who really does need immediate care–their answers were not that different, especially with regard to fluoride supplement use. It was kind of automatic,” says Woosung Sohn, who collaborated with Ismail on the project. “So we think doctors should be re-informed about how to assess a child's dental caries risk before recommending fluoride supplements.”

As a first step, the researchers have developed an educational CD-ROM to help physicians make appropriate recommendations about fluoride use and other oral health matters. The CD-ROM will be used as part of a continuing medical education course at Wayne State University in Detroit and will be distributed to physicians at federally funded health care centers in the Detroit area. “
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_release…

The Flouride Deception
http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc…

Take Action:
http://www.fluoridealert.org/action.htm

11 August 2007
at 8:10 a.m.

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oldgoof (Anonymous) says…

TWA Flight 800 was brought down by a missile, you know.
11 August 2007
at 8:10 a.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

The big thing that people ignore about “conspiracy theories” is that that DO exist!
There are enough people out there who distrust (!!!) our government in their ability to tell the truth, to be beneficient as they are required to be, and to be free of malice and carelessness.

Until you address the issue of the need by the people for “conspiracies theories”, the issue of their massive distrust in our government, then you cannot criticize nor ridicule those who adher to “conspiracy theories”.

One of the biggest and most deadly “conspiracy theories” I have ever heard had to do with Iraq having WMDs, that Saddam posed “imminent” threat to the USA. Because of false intelligence within the mind of Cheney and Bush and within the Defense Intelligent Agency, that particular “conspiracy theory” has been totally debunked!

Debunked, no thanks to Pat Roberts who was in on the obviously intell-hyped Cheney/Bush “conspiracy?
11 August 2007
at 8:11 a.m.

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Machiavelli_mania (Anonymous) says…

And Iraq had WMD! LOL
11 August 2007
at 8:56 a.m.

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Dracul (Bill Chapman) says…

I remember reading a few years ago about a study done on dental care. There was a section for frequent alcohol drinkers in the study and they found that frequent drinkers suffered lower cavities then the average U.S. citizen.
This is only reasonable, because alcohol(even at levels in mixed drinks) can have a germicidal, antibacterial, and sanitizing effect. One way to avoid getting diarrhea in foreign countries is to drink alcohol straight or via mixed drinks. Of course you then have to deal with the side effects of alcohol drinking.
11 August 2007
at 9:07 a.m.

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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…

Pilgrim (Anonymous) says:

“Hey, guys. In case you were unaware, “Conspiracy Theory” was just a movie. It was fiction. I think maybe knowing that may help you sleep better at night. Good luck.”
___________________________________________________________

Thanks, bud. Saving this one, to be sure.

I just *KNOW* this will come in handy in the next 16 months or so…

roflmao!!!!!!

Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
http://www.uscentrist.org
11 August 2007
at 9:57 a.m.

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kansasdaughter (Anonymous) says…

I stopped drinking tap water in 1990, about the time I gave up eating animal flesh. My children (17 & 22 y.o.) have never had a cavity, never had a flouride treatment, and have not consumed tap water in great amounts. I read about flouride toxicity in 1990, while pregnant, and decided then to eliminate it from my family's diet. I had to tell our dentist that I did not want my children to have flouride treatments—he was shocked to the point of speechlessness when I told him that it is toxic waste and has no place in the human body. He thought I was a kook…oh well.

IMO, the health of our teeth depends on genetics, nutrition, care, and cleaning. There can be other variables, but I strongly believe that flouride is of no help in making teeth resistant to decay.

To those who poo-poo this 'conspiracy theory'; do yourselves and your families a favor and just read up on the subject, analyze what you read, and form your own conclusions. There are some really good links posted above, use them.
11 August 2007
at 1:03 p.m.

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jayhawks71 (Anonymous) says…

kansasdaughter, isn't it amazing what that waste that comes out of the backside of cattle does for plant growth? “Waste” is a relative term. One man's waste is another man's gold. Waste is something that is not useful to one party. Imagine if cars that ran on carbon dioxide were the norm…all of a sudden that CO2 cloud being being belched into the atmosphere becomes a prized commodity.

So are those of us who are children of fluoridation dropping dead? No, on the contrary, we are living longer than ever. Correlation? Absolutely! Causation? Who knows! Poor dental health leads to problems other than having no teeth. Gum disease can cause a myriad of health problems, including hypertension.

As for the claim that people in fluoridated areas showing an increase in cavities? Perhaps fluoride is causing them, but probably not. Fluoridation is more common in (urban) city water supplies. People in urban areas also tend to eat more processed foods (that is, white flours and sugars), so lo and behold there might be another factor at work. In addition, studies that claim that fluoride does not work are hand picked by the anti-fluoride maniacs and typically fail to account for other factors. Finally, urban centers tend to be (more) populated by those with lower incomes and no health (dental) insurance, so they are likely not receiving regular dental exams or cleanings and perhaps aren't brushing their teeth. This isn't meant to bolster the claim that fluoride is responsible for dental health, but people tend to miss the details and alternative explanations for natural phenomena. The real tragedy is not fluoride, but instead, the inability of people to research and apply logic and science toward uncovering the answers. The real tragedy is lack of education.
11 August 2007
at 4:34 p.m.

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carolAnn (Anonymous) says…

In answer to:
Godot (Anonymous) says:

Wouldn't it be ironic if it were determined that the buildup of flouride in the body contributes to weight gain?

It is more than ironic, it's a fact. Once ingested, fluoride affects all body systems, not just teeth. In the 2006 National Academies/National Research Council report (NRC), “Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards,” clearly cites studies showing many adverse health effects which occur at, and even below, the 1 ppm concentration level used in fluoridation. One example: The fluoride (dose) found in less than one quart of fluoridated water can lower thyroid function. Included in the many symtoms occurring as a result of hypothyroidism, is weight gain—an escalating health problem in the US. Not so in countries that have long shunned the practice of dumping this untested, toxic, industrial waste product into its drinking water.

Remember, it's not just the concentration level that must be considered in water; it is the fluoride DOSE that is ingested (and retained) at any given concentration. For example, drinking one quart of fluoridated water at 4 ppm ( level now deemed harmful by the NRC) is the same as drinking 4 quarts at 1 ppm. The DOSE is the same. And that's not even considering amounts ingested from other multiple sources such as, food— especially when additionally processed with fluoridated water— fluoridated dental products, toothpaste (1,000 ppm), pharmaceuticals, anesthetics, etc. We are swimming in a sea of fluoride. Fluoride excess, not deficiency, is the real problem. Two thirds of US kids have varying degrees of poisoned tooth enamel, an unsightly, permanent condition caused by too much fluoride (dental fluorosis), as admitted by the CDC. Even the ADA is back pedaling; it has advised against using fluoridated water for baby formula! Wake Up, everyone! Haven't we all swallowed enough? Get the facts at: www.fluorideaction.net

11 August 2007
at 8:12 p.m.

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Horace (Anonymous) says…

POE
O
E

Wing Attack Plan-R
11 August 2007
at 8:52 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Horace wrote:

“
POE
O
E

Wing Attack Plan-R”

Marion writes:

That movie scared the living sh+t out of me when I was a kid!
11 August 2007
at 11:14 p.m.

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cooonrod (Anonymous) says…

fluoride stupid, just as those who went off on WMD rants. if you really distrust government check out your favorite son Al Gore giving it to Bush #1 about not cleaning up WMD before leaving first time and Nukes … almost funny make Bush #2 and Cheney look like the smartest men on earth. and this guy invented the Internet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JE48X… worst part , this is all stuff young people have no idea their Liberal leaders were ranting about way before Bush
12 August 2007
at 6:40 a.m.

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nyscof (Anonymous) says…

Fluoride jeopardizes health - even at low
levels deliberately added to public water supplies, according to data
presented in a recent National Academy of Sciences' (NAS) National Research Council NRC) report.

This is why water fluoride levels should be set near zero and/or
fluoridation stopped. According to the NRC report:

A) Babies under one year consume over their adequate intake (to
avoid moderate fluorosis) from the water supply alone at the
so-called optimal concentrations (0.7 - 1.2 mg/L).

B) Some athletes, workers and/or military personnel already
consume up to 10 milligrams fluoride from optimally fluoridated water,
alone.

C) “…severe renal insufficiency appears to increase bone
fluoride concentrations, perhaps as much as twofold.”

D) “The elderly are at increased risk of high bone fluoride
concentrations due to accumulation over time…”

E) “There are medical conditions that can make people more
susceptible to the effects of fluoride.”

F) “…several lines of information indicate an effect of fluoride
exposure on thyroid function…it is difficult to predict exactly what
effects on thyroid function are likely at what concentration of
fluoride exposure and under what circumstances.”

G) “…all children through 12 who take fluoride supplements
(assuming low water fluoride) will reach or exceed [optimal].”

Full report here with references::

http://groups.google.com/group/Fluori…
12 August 2007
at 11:18 a.m.

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Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

Just in case you are wondering what PeteJayhawk and Marion on about, long before “War Games”, “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” set the standard for 'doomsday machine end of the world comedies', a limited genre to be sure. Mutual Assured Destruction gone MAD (“The Day After”, doesn't count because it wasn't intended to be funny, it just turned out that way).

Kubrick's screenplay is delivered convincingly and completely deadpanned by the likes of George C. Scott (Gen. 'Buck' Turgidson), Peter Sellers (Group Captain Lionel Mandrake), Slim Pickens (Maj. T.J.'King' Kong), Peter Sellers (President Merkin Muffley), James Earl Jones (Lt. Lothar Zogg), and Peter Sellers (Dr. Strangelove), and is in a word, genius. While I find it hard to take seriously anyone who hasn't seen the film, I have serious reservation about the sanity and judgment of anyone who has seen dso:hiltswaltb and doesn't rank it in their Top Ten films.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_Stran…
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dr._Stra…

Which brings me to Dentist, fluoride, and conspiracy theories. If X-Rays are safe, why do they give you a lead apron to cover your naughty bits and leave the room? All that is missing is a flashing red light, blaring siren and recorded voice screaming “Warning! Warning!”
12 August 2007
at 1:37 p.m.

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kansasdaughter (Anonymous) says…

jayhawks71,
you must havemissed this part of my comment:
IMO, the health of our teeth depends on genetics, nutrition, care, and cleaning. There can be other variables, but I strongly believe that flouride is of no help in making teeth resistant to decay.

I have researched this topic since the early nineties, and I am well aware of how dental health affects general health. Piss off you jerk.