kebaldwin
Fri, Mar-24-06, 02:05
Excessive fluoride in water can damage teeth, bones
www.chinaview.cn 2006-03-23 14:12:28
WASHINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Fluoride, which is deliberately added to the drinking water in the United States to strengthen teeth, can damage bones and teeth if at high levels, the National Academy of Sciences reported on Wednesday.
A new maximum limit of fluoride should be introduced, down from the current level of 4 mg per liter set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), suggested the National Research Council, an arm of the Academy, which conducted a study on the fluoride limit at the request of the EPA.
The study does not examine risks or benefits from adding fluoride to drinking water.
The Council noted in the report that exposure to fluoride at 2 mg per liter and less can lead to very small damage. Its study shows that children exposed to the current maximum fluoride limit "risk developing severe tooth enamel fluorosis, a condition characterized by discoloration, enamel loss and pitting of the teeth."
The condition can affect the function of tooth enamel to protect the teeth and underlying dental tissue from decay and infection. Long-term exposure to fluoride levels near the federal limit can increase risk for bone fractures, the Council reported.
The report said more than 160 million Americans have artificially fluoridated drinking water, which contains between 0.7 and 1.2 mg of fluoride per liter.
Meanwhile, about 1.4 million Americans have drinking water with natural fluoride levels of between 2.0 to 3.9 mg per liter. About 200,000 of them may consume water that is at or above the federal maximum limit of fluoride. Enditem
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-03/23/content_4336135.htm
www.chinaview.cn 2006-03-23 14:12:28
WASHINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Fluoride, which is deliberately added to the drinking water in the United States to strengthen teeth, can damage bones and teeth if at high levels, the National Academy of Sciences reported on Wednesday.
A new maximum limit of fluoride should be introduced, down from the current level of 4 mg per liter set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), suggested the National Research Council, an arm of the Academy, which conducted a study on the fluoride limit at the request of the EPA.
The study does not examine risks or benefits from adding fluoride to drinking water.
The Council noted in the report that exposure to fluoride at 2 mg per liter and less can lead to very small damage. Its study shows that children exposed to the current maximum fluoride limit "risk developing severe tooth enamel fluorosis, a condition characterized by discoloration, enamel loss and pitting of the teeth."
The condition can affect the function of tooth enamel to protect the teeth and underlying dental tissue from decay and infection. Long-term exposure to fluoride levels near the federal limit can increase risk for bone fractures, the Council reported.
The report said more than 160 million Americans have artificially fluoridated drinking water, which contains between 0.7 and 1.2 mg of fluoride per liter.
Meanwhile, about 1.4 million Americans have drinking water with natural fluoride levels of between 2.0 to 3.9 mg per liter. About 200,000 of them may consume water that is at or above the federal maximum limit of fluoride. Enditem
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-03/23/content_4336135.htm