Recent weekly publications emphasize that even low doses of fluoride can be detrimental to health. Since Australia’s last comprehensive review in 2017, over 400 new studies have reinforced the view that fluoride exposure harms health. To date, more than 1,900 peer-reviewed studies demonstrate that fluoridation chemicals can damage the developing brain, bones, joints, teeth, eyes, kidneys, thyroid gland, pineal gland, cardiovascular system, and interfere with enzyme and cell protein functions, contributing to iodine deficiency. All these studies are readily accessible.Specifically, 68 studies on neurotoxicity—58 involving water fluoridation—provide compelling evidence that early-life fluoride exposure damages brain development. Notably, six major mother-offspring studies link maternal fluoride intake to reduced IQ in children, with some funded by the US NIEHS, indicating damage at doses comparable to those in Australia. Given the rising awareness of environmental toxins’ health impacts and increasing rates of neurodevelopmental and other chronic diseases in Australia, it is crucial to reconsider the widespread exposure to fluoride through public water supplies and processed foods. The extensive list of fluoride-related health risks is too long to detail fully here. Since fluoride can reach every organ and cell after entering the bloodstream, this summary highlights ten primary health concerns associated with long-term, low-level fluoride ingestion.
The evidence includes:
- 455 studies on the skeletal system, including 75 on arthritis.
- 294 studies on fluoride’s mechanisms of cellular damage, including 155 on oxidative stress.
- 237 studies on the brain, including 95 on cognitive function.
- 182 studies on the kidneys, including 64 on risks faced by kidney patients.
Ten Major Harms of Fluoride
1. Developmental Neurotoxin and Neurological Damage
Fluoride is recognized as a developmental neurotoxin, capable of impairing nerve cell development in utero, infancy, and childhood. This damage manifests as intellectual deficits, neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, learning difficulties, ADHD, and cognitive-behavioural issues. Over the past two decades, research has consistently shown fluoride’s neurotoxic effects, with authoritative reviews by the US National Research Council and the EPA confirming its interference with brain functions. Animal studies further support these findings, demonstrating fluoride accumulation in the brain and behavioural changes consistent with neurotoxicity. A 2014 Harvard study added fluoride to the list of critical developmental neurotoxins, emphasizing the potential for widespread cognitive harm, especially when combined with other environmental toxins. Multiple international studies associate fluoride exposure with reduced IQ in children, with some indicating that even moderate fluoride levels exacerbate iodine deficiency-related neurological issues. The 2017 Bashash study, funded by the US government, found significant IQ reductions in children whose mothers were exposed to fluoride during pregnancy, aligning with doses typical in fluoridated communities.
For further information, see the myriad articles on fluoride and IQ reduction and neurotoxicity.
2. Endocrine Disruption and Thyroid Damage
Fluoride acts as an endocrine disruptor, capable of suppressing thyroid hormone production. Historically, it was used in the 1950s to treat hyperthyroidism. The 2006 NRC review reported that even low doses of fluoride decrease thyroid hormone synthesis, especially in individuals with iodine deficiency. Studies indicate that consuming as little as 3 mg of fluoride daily can impair thyroid function in a 60 kg woman, with sources including fluoridated water, tea, processed foods, toothpaste, and pesticide residues. Larger studies in the UK and Canada have linked high fluoride levels to increased hypothyroidism prevalence, particularly among iodine-deficient populations. Given that over half of Australian children and pregnant women are iodine deficient, fluoride exposure poses a significant risk to thyroid health.
Many additional details are available on fluoride’s effects on the endocrine system.
3. Enzyme and Protein Disruption
Biochemists have long recognized fluoride’s poisonous interactions with enzymes, which catalyze vital biochemical reactions. Nobel laureate Dr. James Sumner warned that fluoride poisons enzymes, leading to cellular and organismal death. Fluoride interferes with G-proteins involved in cellular messaging and disrupts hydrogen bonds critical for protein and nucleic acid structure and function, impairing numerous biochemical processes.
4. Increased Risk of Diabetes and Kidney Damage
Diabetes, a rapidly growing chronic disease in Australia, is linked to fluoride exposure. The 2006 NRC review identified fluoride as a nephrotoxin that can elevate blood glucose levels and impair glucose tolerance. Diabetics are particularly vulnerable due to increased water consumption, impaired kidney function, and fluoride’s bioaccumulate nature. Studies show that higher fluoride exposure correlates with increased hypothyroidism and diabetes risk, especially among iodine-deficient populations, which include many Australians.
5. Pineal Gland Accumulation and Damage
The pineal gland, responsible for melatonin production, accumulates high levels of fluoride, which can decrease melatonin synthesis and disrupt sleep and reproductive functions. Research by Jennifer Luke in the 1990s revealed significant fluoride deposits in the pineal gland, with levels surpassing those in bones and teeth. Fluoride’s presence contributes to early puberty and other hormonal disruptions.
6. Dental Fluorosis and Systemic Damage
Dental fluorosis directly results from fluoride damage to tooth enamel during childhood, ranging from mild mottling to severe surface damage. A 2016 US survey reported a 65% prevalence of fluorosis among adolescents, with severe cases rising sharply. Fluorosis serves as a biomarker for systemic fluoride toxicity, which can also harm bones, kidneys, and other tissues. Studies link dental fluorosis to broader health issues, including thyroid dysfunction.
7. Skeletal Fluorosis, Osteoporosis, and Fractures
Skeletal fluorosis, resulting from fluoride accumulation in bones, can mimic other bone diseases and cause joint pain, stiffness, and increased fracture risk. Heavy tea drinkers and those with kidney impairment are particularly susceptible. Studies from India, China, and recent Swedish research indicate that fluoride levels as low as 0.7 ppm can cause skeletal damage, with postmenopausal women at increased risk of hip fractures in fluoridated regions.
8. Cancer, Particularly Osteosarcoma
The link between fluoride and cancer, especially osteosarcoma, remains controversial. While some studies have not found associations, others, including the 1991 US National Toxicology Program study, observed increased bone cancer in fluoride-treated rats. Human studies, such as the 2001 Bassin study, identified a fivefold increased risk of osteosarcoma in boys exposed to fluoride during critical growth years. Despite conflicting research, the potential risk warrants caution.
9. Reproductive Health Issues
Research since 1990 indicates fluoride’s potential to impair male reproductive health, including reduced fertility and testosterone levels. Some studies suggest populations with fluoride levels above 3 ppm have lower fertility rates. High fluoride exposure has been associated with reproductive system damage in humans and animals, raising concerns about its impact on human reproduction.
10. Individual Sensitivity and Hypersensitivity
Some individuals exhibit hypersensitivity to fluoride, experiencing symptoms such as skin rashes, fatigue, and other adverse reactions. Historical and recent studies document cases of fluoride hypersensitivity, with some estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of Australians may suffer from mild to severe symptoms. Despite this, health agencies have not conducted comprehensive research into fluoride sensitivity, prioritizing the continuation of fluoridation practices over public health concerns. Symptoms of fluoride toxicity often resemble metabolic dysfunctions, including hypothyroidism. Recognizing and addressing individual sensitivities is essential for public health. For those experiencing adverse reactions, completing the fluoride testimonial form is recommended. In conclusion, the evidence underscores the imperative need for banning water fluoridation once and for all.