This is a figure from the US National Academy of science publication “Earth Materials and Health: Research Priorities for Earth Science and Public Health.” This lists fluoride (F) as one of the trace elements “considered essential for human health and metabolism.”
The upper figure indicates the pattern of harm and benefit as the intake of the element is increased for an essential element. This is the pattern we see for fluoride in its effect on bones and teeth. These are harmed at deficient concentrations but high concentrations can become toxic or lethal. (We start to see fluorosis etc.) Fortunately the concentrations used for water fluoridation are safe. But opponents of fluoridation will often quote studies covering higher concentrations and claim the toxic effects observed will occur with fluoridated water – quite dishonest.
The lower figure is a typical pattern for non-essential elements – and this is the pattern observed with fluoride for situations other than bone and teeth. Many of the biological effects seen with chronic fluoride toxicity will demonstrate that pattern. Again anti-fluoridationists will often cite studies in the toxic and lethal range and claim, dishonestly, they apply to the normal safe range of fluoridated water.
The upper figure indicates the pattern of harm and benefit as the intake of the element is increased for an essential element. This is the pattern we see for fluoride in its effect on bones and teeth. These are harmed at deficient concentrations but high concentrations can become toxic or lethal. (We start to see fluorosis etc.) Fortunately the concentrations used for water fluoridation are safe. But opponents of fluoridation will often quote studies covering higher concentrations and claim the toxic effects observed will occur with fluoridated water – quite dishonest.
The lower figure is a typical pattern for non-essential elements – and this is the pattern observed with fluoride for situations other than bone and teeth. Many of the biological effects seen with chronic fluoride toxicity will demonstrate that pattern. Again anti-fluoridationists will often cite studies in the toxic and lethal range and claim, dishonestly, they apply to the normal safe range of fluoridated water.
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