Additional Coverage:
- U.S. government report says fluoride at twice the recommended limit is linked to lower IQ in kids (newsbreak.com)
A recent U.S. government study has sparked discussions by finding that fluoride levels in drinking water that exceed twice the recommended amount are associated with reduced IQ scores in children. The study, conducted by the National Toxicology Program, is part of the Department of Health and Human Services and has reviewed international research with moderate confidence linking elevated fluoride exposure to cognitive impairments in youth.
While this report doesn’t exclusively focus on fluoride’s effects from water, it brings to light the potential neurological risks when fluoride concentration is high. U.S. public health guidelines currently advocate for 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, a recommendation lowered in 2015 from a previous cap of 1.2 milligrams to minimize fluorosis—a condition causing stains on teeth increasingly observed among American children.
The National Toxicology Program’s review included research from multiple countries, concluding that fluoride levels over 1.5 milligrams per liter could correlate with a 2 to 5 point decrease in IQ in affected children. These findings prompt additional questions about how to protect the small percentage of U.S. residents, approximately 1.9 million, who live in areas with naturally high fluoride concentrations.
Despite these considerations, official standards to prevent skeletal fluorosis—a bone weakening condition—maintain that fluoride should not exceed 4 milligrams per liter in water systems. Water fluoridation, a practice endorsed since 1950 following its initial introduction in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1945, remains largely promoted for its dental benefits.
However, amidst growing scrutiny regarding fluoride’s broader health implications, further studies are urged to assess its impact on both children and adults at lower exposure levels. While the American Dental Association continues to review the report, the insights about prenatal fluoride exposure suggest possible new guidelines for limiting fluoride consumption.
This research underscores the need for ongoing scientific exploration and potential policy adjustments to ensure public health safety while maintaining the dental health advantages provided by fluoride.