October 1, 2020

National Toxicology Program Cites Fluoride as Hazard

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) has reiterated its conclusion that fluoride is “presumed to be a cognitive neurodevelopmental hazard to humans,” i.e. can cause brain damage in fetuses and young children, especially lowered IQs.   

Jeff Irish, Safe Water Spokane chair, said “This is yet more scientific evidence that fluoridation chemicals are dangerous and should not be added to Spokane’s water. The steps approved by the city council to start this process should be suspended immediately in light of this report.” 

NTP’s draft 309-page report, published last week, will be submitted to a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) committee for further review. It’s NTP’s second draft declaring this hazard, which is highly unlikely to be changed.

The finding is based on a review of 92 human studies that show “a consistent and robust pattern . . .  across several different populations demonstrating that higher fluoride exposure (e.g., >1.5 mg/L in drinking water) is associated with lower IQ and other cognitive effects in children.” 

At 1.5 parts per million (ppm), equivalent to 1.5 mg/L, the risks are clear. There is great variability among the population on susceptibility to toxins. Standard toxicological practice maintains that definite harm found at one level should be divided by at least 10 to protect more vulnerable sub-populations, such as pregnant women and children. By this determination, fluoride in water should be no higher than 0.15 ppm, much lower than the 0.7 ppm fluoridation level. 

Dr. David Graves, a Spokane physician, said “As serious as fluoridation is, it’s only part of the story. People also ingest fluoride from soft drinks, fruit juices, tea, foods processed with fluoridated water, pesticide residues and air pollution. All contribute to the toxic load. Considering all the ways people are exposed, the safety factor is clearly too close to the allowable level to protect everyone.”

At 0.7 ppm, the report said the “effects on cognitive neurodevelopment are inconsistent, and therefore unclear.” It’s questionable how NTP came to this less definitive conclusion, since 13 out of the 14 strongest studies identified at this level showed adverse neurotoxic effects on children. But at the very least, NTP’s wording directly contradicts the claim of a consensus that fluoridation is safe for everyone.  

Toxicologist Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, author of “A Small Dose of Toxicology” and director of the Institute of Neurotoxicology & Neurological Disorders, said “This determination of hazard by NTP is another in a long line of studies over the past three decades that have found fluoride’s neurotoxicity. The science clearly indicates that water fluoridation should be ended as soon as possible.”