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Dentist Raises Concerns Over Fluoride in Drinking Water, Labeling it ‘Hazardous Waste’
A respected dental professional is adding her voice to the growing debate surrounding fluoride in drinking water, asserting that the substance is essentially ‘hazardous waste.’ Dr. Staci Whitman, a prominent dentist, contends that the fluoride added to public water supplies is a byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry, raising questions about its safety and efficacy for public health.
Fluoride’s Origins and Intended Benefits
Water fluoridation has been practiced in the United States since the 1940s. Fluoride, a mineral naturally occurring in soil, rocks, and water, is promoted for its ability to strengthen tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to acids. It is also believed to aid in preventing bacterial erosion and replenish minerals lost from tooth enamel over time.
Dentist Cites Potential Health Risks
Despite its long-standing and widespread use over eight decades, Dr. Whitman argues that the potentially toxic origins of fluoride and the possibility of it causing serious neurological complications should compel governing bodies to re-evaluate the practice of treating municipal water systems with this substance.
Dr. Whitman highlighted that the fertilizer industry byproduct used for water fluoridation is known as hydrofluorosilicic acid before dilution and introduction into drinking water. She emphasized the highly dangerous nature of this substance in its undiluted form, noting the necessity for workers to wear protective gear when handling it at water treatment facilities.
State-Level Legislative Action
Concerns regarding fluoride have already prompted legislative changes in some states. Florida and Utah have previously enacted laws prohibiting the addition of fluoride to state-controlled water supplies.
Social media users on X corroborated Dr. Whitman’s interview, confirming hazard warnings on bags containing minerals used for water fluoridation.
Dr. Staci Whitman stated in a recent podcast that fluoride is a byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry.
‘Skull and Crossbones’ Warning
In a recent interview with Dr. Andrew Huberman, a Stanford Medicine neurobiology and ophthalmology professor, Dr. Whitman stated, ‘Everyone can investigate this and see for themselves, but it arrives in cement sacks marked with skull and crossbones, and personnel are required to wear hazmat suits to introduce it into our water.’
Dr. Whitman’s Background and Holistic Approach
Dr. Whitman is a board-certified pediatric dental specialist and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Her Oregon-based practice adopts a ‘whole-body, holistic, and functional approach’ to oral healthcare, considering a wide array of factors beyond diet that may contribute to dental issues in children.
In a January 24th post on X, Dr. Whitman suggested that the focus should shift from solely blaming parents for children’s cavities to considering ‘environmental toxin exposures, our broken food system, our lack of education and preventative strategies, chronic allergies and mouth breathing, epigenetics, depleted soil and nutrient-void food, gut dysbiosis and the inability to absorb nutrients.’
Inconsistencies in Fluoride Levels Raise Alarm
Dr. Whitman is now raising awareness about the inconsistent application of fluoride in drinking water across different regions of the United States. She clarified that the government’s recommended safe threshold for fluoride in water is 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L).
However, her investigations have indicated that numerous communities are adding substantially higher concentrations of fluoride to their water supply than the recommended level, with some reaching as high as 2.2 mg/L.
Studies suggest a correlation between elevated fluoride levels in children and reduced IQ scores.
Dr. Whitman cautioned that inconsistencies in fluoride levels added to tap water in various communities are leading to health concerns.
Links to Neurocognitive Concerns
According to Dr. Whitman, this elevated fluoride concentration falls within the exposure range that prior research suggests may be linked to neurocognitive problems. Recent studies have presented further compelling evidence bolstering concerns that water fluoridation might be causing more detriment than benefit.
Studies Link Fluoride Exposure to Lower IQ
A January analysis encompassing 74 studies revealed a consistent association between increased fluoride exposure and diminished IQ scores in children. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the report indicated that for each 1 mg/L increase in urinary fluoride levels in children, there was a corresponding 1.63-point reduction in IQ.
The study also identified cognitive issues in children at fluoride levels below 2 mg/L, amplifying apprehensions regarding current US health guidelines for fluoride.
Critics of this analysis have pointed out that the data did not include studies conducted within the United States.
However, Dr. Whitman countered this criticism by stating in her interview that she has found US communities near her Portland practice exhibiting fluoride levels in tap water considerably exceeding safe limits.
Efficacy of Fluoride Questioned in Newer Research
An additional study from October 2024 challenged the effectiveness of the long-standing practice of adding fluoride to water for preventing tooth decay. Researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration discovered that the cavity-preventive effect of fluoridated water has significantly decreased since the 1970s.
The scientists explained that many of the studies advocating for fluoride in drinking water were conducted over 50 years ago, before fluoride toothpaste became widely available.
Their review of post-1975 studies revealed that children in areas with fluoridated water experienced only an average of 0.24 fewer decayed baby teeth compared to those in non-fluoridated areas. In contrast, pre-1975 studies indicated a reduction of 2.1 decayed teeth per child in fluoridated water areas versus untreated water areas.
Reassessing Water Fluoridation
In essence, recent research suggests that excessive fluoride intake could be detrimental to children’s cognitive development, and alternative, more targeted methods of fluoride delivery, such as toothpaste, are now readily available, casting doubt on the necessity of broad-based tap water fluoridation.
Potential for Federal Action
Could the federal government potentially consider a ban on fluoride in tap water? Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the former US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), has publicly echoed Dr. Whitman’s reservations, suggesting that the Trump Administration might advocate for the removal of fluoride from public water systems.
In a November post on X, RFK Jr. stated, ‘Fluoride is an industrial waste linked to arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.’
State-Level Decisions Predominate
Despite potential federal support, Dr. Whitman suggested that decisions regarding fluoride bans are more likely to be made at the state level, indicating limited federal control over this issue. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed his expectation that federal health regulators will follow his state’s precedent in removing fluoride from drinking water nationwide.