New Report: Fluoride Exposure and Child Development - What Parents Need to Know

Fluoride is a mineral that is found naturally in water and soil. It is also added to public drinking water supplies in many communities to help prevent tooth decay. However, there has been some concern about the potential effects of fluoride exposure on child development.

A recent review by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) ( https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/noncancer/completed/fluoride) looked at the scientific literature on this topic. The NTP found that higher levels of fluoride exposure, such as drinking water containing more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter, are associated with lower IQ in children. However, the NTP did not find a link between low fluoride exposure and adverse health effects. More research is needed to better understand the health risks associated with low fluoride exposures. 

The determination about lower IQs in children was based primarily on epidemiology studies in non-U.S. countries such as Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Mexico where some pregnant women, infants, and children received total fluoride exposure amounts higher than 1.5 mg fluoride/L of drinking water. The U.S. Public Health Service currently recommends 0.7 mg/L, and the World Health Organization has set a safe limit for fluoride in drinking water of 1.5 mg/L. The NTP found no evidence that fluoride exposure had adverse effects on adult cognition.

What does this mean for parents?

If you live in a community with fluoridated water, you can check the level of fluoride in your drinking water by contacting your local water supplier or use a home water test kit to test you levels of fluoride in tap water. Understanding fluoride levels in tap water can guide your choice of water or filters for your home. According to the study, higher levels of fluoride found in tap water with higher exposure to children, can lead to lower IQs levels.

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