January 5, 2007
Fluoridated water and formula a danger to infant health
After prompting from the Food and Drug Administration, the American Dental Association has released new
http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/fluoride_infants.asp guidelines warning the public that babies who are fed infant formula mixed with fluoridated water are at risk for developing enamel fluorosis. Enamel fluorosis characterized by yellow, brown or pitted teeth and is the outward sign of fluoride toxicity. Fluoride toxicity can also cause bone damage, which is less detectable.
At least two-thirds of drinking water in the US is Fluoridated, while the figure in Canada is around 38%. Fluoride is added to drinking water at a level of 0.8 – 1 mg/L to prevent cavities. Exposure to these levels of fluoride is not harmful for older children and adults, but in infants who
are in the early stages of dental development it can cause fluorosis. The major source of fluoride exposure for infants is drinking water used to dilute infant formula.
The government of Canada has for some time been aware of the danger of fluorosis to formula fed infants. According to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, “In Canada, actual intakes [of fluoride] are larger than recommended intakes for formula-fed infants.”
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ministry_reports/fluoridation/fluoridation.html
The American Dental Association’s new guidelines support “the pediatricians’ recommendations on the benefits of breast feeding. If using a[n infant formula] product that needs to be reconstituted, parents and caregivers should consider using water that has no or low levels of fluoride.” http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/epubs/egram/egram_061109.pdf
At 5 to 10 parts per billion, breastmilk has extremely low levels of fluoride. Furthermore, it contains immulogical factors which protect against dental diseases. Risk of fluorosis appears to be yet another reason why formula is hazardous to infant health.
Jeff Truman said,
January 6, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Fluoridation of water is also extremely wasteful, as less than one percent of municipal water is drunk by people. Most is used by industry, and most home water is used for washing, not drinking.