Fluoride in your Water

Contributed by Jennifer Villatoro 

The Fluoride Action Network have listed the general facts about, and arguments against fluoridation and they have stated: 
 "Fluoride is the only chemical added to drinking water for the purpose of medication (to prevent tooth decay)."

DID YOU KNOW?!
CDC and ADA Promote Water Fluoridation Without Regard for Safety

             What is going on in your water? 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are not alone in the campaign to force fluoridation on Americans. The American Dental Association (ADA), along with their state dental chapters and local health officials, have teamed up with the CDC, writing Op-eds, testifying at state and municipal hearings, writing and phoning local decision-makers, and opposing attempts by citizens to remove fluoride from their drinking water. 

Meanwhile, Delta Dental is providing millions of dollars in grants for fluoride equipment and chemicals to municipalities each year to entice them to initiate and continue the practice of fluoridation, while The Pew Charitable Trusts actively lobbies state legislators and city councilors (including hiring public relations firms) to persuade communities to fluoridate, and encourages states like Arkansas to approve mandatory fluoridation.

In 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 72.4 percent of the U.S. population--nearly 200 million people—were using public water systems with fluoridated water.  Since this report was published, the CDC’s Oral Health Division has been working non-stop, spending large amounts of taxpayer dollars promoting fluoridation throughout the United States, with the stated goal of having more than 75 percent of the population drinking fluoridated public water by 2011. 

                                               Here are some tips
  

• Check to see if your community is fluoridated, when it started, and what chemicals are currently being used.
• Once you have learned the basics about fluoride, and have taken action to ensure you stay informed with the latest information, you are ready to take the second step, and become an advocate for fluoride-free water by working to educate others about the dangers of fluoride.
  
  How to Remove Fluoride from Drinking Water
  by  Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D
  
  
  • Reverse Osmosis Filtration 
    This is used to purify several types of bottled water (not all), so some bottled waters are unfluoridated. Reverse osmosis systems are generally unaffordable for personal use.
    
    
  • Activated Alumina Defluoridation Filter 
    These filters are used in locales where fluorosis is prevalent. They are relatively expensive (about $30/filter) and require frequent replacement, but do offer an option for home water filtration.
    
    
  • Distillation Filtration 
    There are commercially available distillation filters that can be purchased to remove fluoride from water. On a related note: When looking at bottled water, keep in mind that 'distilled water' does not imply that a product is suitable for drinking water and other undesirable impurities may be present.
    
    Steps to Reduce Fluoride Exposure
    
    
    • Don't take fluoride supplements.
      
      
    • Read labels on bottled beverages. 
      Unless they are made using distilled or reverse-osmosis water, they are probably made with fluoridated public water.
      
      
    • Consider using unfluoridated toothpaste.
      
    
    
    • Be wary of tinned fish and canned food items. 
      Fluoride may be used as a preservative.
      
      These Do NOT Remove Fluoride
      
      
      • Brita, Pur, and most other filters. 
        Some websites about fluoride removal state otherwise, but I checked the product descriptions on the companies' websites to confirm that fluoride is left in the water.
        
        
      • Boiling Water 
        This will concentrate the fluoride rather than reduce it.
        
        
      • Freezing Water 
        Freezing water does not affect the concentration of fluoride.

Special thanks to http://www.fluoridealert.org/ and Dr. Helmenstine.

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