September 18, 2001
Kamloops Daily News



If fluoridated water is harmful, then we are in big trouble. 
All the water in the world is naturally fluoridated -- every
drop that makes contact with the earth. 

All river water, well water, filtered water, reverse osmosis
water, bottled water, and tap water is fluoridated.   The
only water that isn't is rain water collected in sterile
containers, and distilled water.

As soon as rain contacts the earth it begins to dissolve
natural fluorine compounds, like calcium fluoride, found in
soil and rocks.  The compounds dissolve (ionize) in water. 
The fluoride ions in solution are what fluoridates the
water.  

It's not surprising that natural fluoridation happens so
easily.  Fluorine is the 17th most abundant element and its
compounds are found everywhere.  Fluorine is the most
reactive element (electro-negative) of all.

The concentration natural fluorides depends on the acidity
of the water and length of time in contact with rocks and
soil.  So, river water is less fluoridated than well water. 
Kamloops' water naturally has about one-half the fluoride
concentration necessary to prevent tooth decay.

There is no difference between fluorine from natural sources
and fluorides from artificial sources.  Once dissolved, you
can't tell one fluoride ion from another.  There are no
"tags" on the fluorine ions that indicate that one fluoride
ion is from a natural source and another fluoride ion is
not.  All fluorine ions are created equal.

Fluorides are stored in teeth and bones which strengthens
them by aiding in the retention of calcium.  It also
decreases the incidence of rickets in children.

Artificial fluoridation is achieved by the use of sodium
fluoride, or sodium fluorosilicate, or fluorosilic acid. 
Kamloops gets its fluorosilic acid from Stanchem Inc. and
they get it from Florida.  Fluorosilic acid is a byproduct
of the fertilizer industry.

Fluorosilic acid is used to bring concentrations of
fluorides in our water up to the level proven to prevent
cavities in teeth.  Not all water needs artificial fluorides
to make it effective in cavity reduction.  Some water has
natural fluorides in the recommended concentration of 1 part
per million.

Fluoridated water, artificial or natural, with
concentrations from 2 ppm to 10 ppm cause white spots on
teeth and above that, brown stains appear.  Except in very
high concentrations, the discolouration is a cosmetic not a
health problem.  The spots, called fluorosis, are not pretty
in the extreme.  But not as bad as rotten teeth - - which
can not only ruin your looks, but your health as well.

Naturally over-fluoridated water led to the discovery of the
connection to decay reduction.   In the early 1900s, a
Colorado Springs dentist, Frederick S. McKay, noticed that
many of his patients had brown stains on their teeth and
reduced cavities. McKay set out to find the cause.  Later he
found that there was an association between the water that
his patients drank and the reduced cavities and the stains.

By the 1940's, natural fluorides were identified as a remedy
in cavity reduction.  If the concentrations were reduced to
one part per million, the beneficial qualities of remained
and the fluorosis disappeared.

Fluoridation improves the health of children in poor
families who might not be able to afford dentists,
toothpaste, or even a tooth brush.  Fluoridation reduces the
gap in health between the rich and poor.

"Community water fluoridation remains one of the great
achievements of public health in the Twentieth Century -- an
inexpensive means of improving oral health that benefits all
residents of a community, young and old, rich and poor
alike," says Dr. David Satcher, Surgeon General of the
United States.

There are some serious questions about the use of
fluorosilic acid as a fluoridating agent.  The claim is that
our fluorosilic acid  is contaminated with toxic metals and
trace amounts of radioactive isotopes.  But a question
doesn't constitute a proof. 

Meanwhile, there are convincing studies that show
fluoridation works to reduce cavities and improve everyone's
health.  The volume of studies in favour of fluoridation far
outweighs those against. 			 			
		***

Note for CBC Radio 2 fans: Those who sent a letter to the
CBC after my column, July 4, 2000, probably already know
this.   But for everyone else, Radio 2 will begin broadcast
on October 1.  You are welcome to attend a kick-off concert
at UCC's Grand Hall at 12:30pm.

go back to my Columns in the