Fluoride levels should be lowered, panel tells Health Canada
01.08.2008 12:01
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
A panel of experts convened by Health Canada is recommending new optimal concentrations of fluoride in drinking water and suggesting the levels of fluoride ingested from a variety of sources by children and infants be lowered and monitored. The authors suggest Health Canada adopt a level of 0.7 mg/L as the optimal target for fluoride in drinking water, to limit exposure. This level, they say, balances the need for dental cavity protection with the risk of dental fluorosis, which leads to staining or pitting of the teeth if too much fluoride is ingested. The report, which was released in January of last year, was posted on Health Canada's website in April. The panel notes in the report that the overall intake of fluoride in recent years has decreased, as have the concentrations of fluoride in infant formula. It also does not find any link between fluoride and cancer, a decrease in IQ or reproductive, immunological or developmental toxicity. Previous studies have raised concerns about the toxic effects of fluoride and made connections between excessive consumption and such diseases as bone cancer. The panel does acknowledge that excess fluoride intake, which constitutes 10 mg/day after 10 or more years of exposure, can lead to skeletal fluorosis, which is caused by too much accumulation of fluoride in the bones and leads to brittle and deformed bones. However, "the current maximum acceptable concentration of 1.5 mg/L of fluoride in drinking water is unlikely to cause adverse health effects," reads the report. The report does caution however, that infants are particularly vulnerable if they ingest powdered infant formula reconstituted with fluoridated water. "The risk of excessive intake of fluoride is higher for infants consuming larger quantities of infant formulas," reads the report. The panel subsequently calls on the manufacturers of infant formula to lower and standardize the fluoride concentration in infant formula. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksDental stats revive fluoride debateHealth HeadlinesHeart attacks reduced by Scottish smoking ban: studyHeart attack rates in Scotland have dropped dramatically in smokers and non-smokers since the country passed a non-smoking law for public places, finds a large study.Exercise in a pill? Yes, if you're a mouseHere's a couch potato's dream: What if a drug could help you gain some of the benefits of exercise without working up a sweat?U.S. senate bill bans lead, phthalates in toysThe U.S. Senate has passed and sent to the White House legislation that bans lead from children's toys.Diseases, heat-related deaths likely to spike from climate change: reportA new Health Canada report warns Canadians of the potential health risks of climate change, including spikes in heat-related deaths, an increase in respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and the spread and emergence of diseases.Affluent mothers living near highways at higher risk for low birth-weight babiesWomen who live near highways or city expressways have higher odds of delivering low birth-weight babies, with affluent women at the greatest risk, say Canadian and Australian researchers. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHAIDSThe global epidemicIN DEPTHNanotechnologyReally, really small stuff that's really big. But is it safe?ANOTHER VIEWDrugs and drivingNew law a 'positive step', analyst saysYOUR BEST STUFFKeeping fitReaders tell us how they fit 55 minutes of exercise into their dayHEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosBreaking up's not that hard to doPeople who read this also read …
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