Does Fluoride In Maine’s Tap Water Lower IQs

Well this is a little alarming and way too late to do most of us any good, none the less. A new study has been released that implies that Fluoride (fluosilicic acid) that has been added to our US water supplies for decades, (approximately 1 part per million) in an attempt to reduce tooth decay may be at levels in our water supply sufficient in some parts of Maine to also lower a resident's IQ.

You say what do I care I have a well. Well, this new study published by Scientific America found that in 10 communities in the state have wells that have dangerously high levels of fluoride. As an example, in Dedham alone data from 37 wells indicates that 37.8 percent of that water is above the state’s maximum exposure guideline for fluoride.

According to the report, People living in areas with high fluoride concentrations can take steps to mitigate the problem—but it is an open question whether they will. Countertop filters like Brita pitchers are not effective but advanced technology such as reverse osmosis systems (which may start around $150 per unit) will capture much of the fluoride.

Unfortunately even people whose water is contaminated with far more harmful chemicals frequently take no action. Researchers recently surveyed residents of central Maine whose well water contains high levels of arsenic—an odorless, tasteless element that can cause maladies including cancer, blindness and numbness in hands and feet. Reports came back that 27 percent of those Mainers did nothing about it. When asked why not, people reported a lack of concern about arsenic and reluctance to pay for any mitigating action.

Need more proof?  A few years back Harvard examined several studies performed outside the U.S. and found that high fluoride exposures reduce children's IQs by an average of about seven points. Their researchers' review of fluoride/brain studies concludes 'our results support the possibility of adverse effects of fluoride exposures on children's neurodevelopment.'

It was published in Environmental Health Perspectives, a US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' journal.

But before you move you should consider there are other studies that recant these findings. A study done by researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand claimed fluoride does not lower IQ levels.

Drawing data from a large study of 1,000 people born in Dunedin in New Zealand during 1972-1973 - the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Study - researchers from the University of Otago compared the IQs of study participants who grew up in suburbs with and without fluoridated water.

They say the results showed 'no significant differences in IQ by fluoride exposure.'