Comment by kacesensitive
21 days ago
Afaik these findings primarily involve populations exposed to fluoride levels above 1.5 mg/L, which is higher than the 0.7 mg/L recommended for U.S. water supplies. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that fluoride at recommended levels negatively impacts IQ.
At safe levels fluoridation is a public health measure akin to fortifying foods with vitamins (e.g., iodine in salt or folic acid in flour something we do all the time).
> insufficient evidence
That's a very high standard of evidence.
Toxicity testing is often carried out on mice, up to the dosage required for any observable effect. From that safe levels for humans are derived, e.g. the NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level).
To say that a study done in humans, got observable effects at only twice the intended dose (who knows what the s.d. of the dose is, but anyway) and we conclude there's simply not enough evidence?
Many chemicals have been banned on the basis of far less evidence.
the question is regardless of the stated benefit, dont I still have the right to opt out of this all or nothing additive?
You have the right not to drink tap water of course
Honestly 1.5mg is not that different than 0.7mg..is there some reason to believe a 2X factor makes a big deal? I was expecting to hear of 10x differences or something, but 2x is not much of a factor in these kind of gradient effects.
1.5mg is literally twice the recommended limit. I don't really understand the logic in saying 2x overdosed is negligible. If you consistently eat 2x your daily calories you'll see the results fast. If you drink twice what you can handle, it would be bad. Etc