THE CASE AGAINST FLUORIDE:
how hazardous waste ended up in
our drinking water and the bad science and powerful politics
that keep it there
a book By Paul Connett, James Beck, and H Spedding Micklem
2010 Oct
On the eve of the new millennium, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),
listed water fluoridation as one of the twentieth-century's 10 greatest
public-health achievements. Yet according to the authors of this painstakingly
researched expose of fluoridations overall
ineffectiveness and toxicity, endorsements such as these from the CDC and other
health organizations are motivated more by face-saving politics than credible
research. Fluoridation advocates who have previously branded detractors as
conspiracy theorists and shills for junk science will be hard pressed to debunk
the hundreds of peer-reviewed studies and sound scientific reasoning presented
here. In demonstrating fluoridations ineffectiveness, the authors cite
exhaustive evidence proving fluorides only benefits are topical, as in
toothbrushing, as opposed to swallowing. But the case against fluorides alleged
safety, even in small doses, is more alarming, with multiple studies showing
fluorides probable complicity in lowered intelligence scores, thyroid
dysfunction, hip fractures, and the ominously rising incidence of osteosarcoma
in boys. The authors academic, hyperbole-free writing style serves them well in
marshaling a series of facts that, all by themselves, expose fluoridation as a
false panacea. It remains to be seen, however, whether the public-health
community will give this landmark work due credit or continue to rubber stamp an
outdated policy that, like bloodletting and trepanation, properly belongs on the
scrap heap of sham medical interventions.
"Sweden rejected fluoridation in the 1970s and, in this excellent book, these
three scientists have confirmed the wisdom of that decision. Our children have
not suffered greater tooth decay, as World Health Organization figures attest,
and in turn our citizens have not borne the other hazards fluoride may cause. In
any case, since fluoride is readily available in toothpaste, you don't have to
force it on people."--Arvid Carlsson, Nobel Laureate in Medicine or
Physiology (2000) and Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, University of
Gothenburg
"Alfred North Whitehead said the scientific method means leaving 'options open
for revision.' An ancient Roman adage says that 'whatever touches all must be
approved by all.' These characterizations of science and democracy are the
reasons for reading this book. Especially if you and your family are drinking
administratively mandated fluoridated water."--Ralph Nader
"This book clearly shows that water fluoridation is poor public policy and must
end. As a concerned citizen, I applaud the authors for bringing this issue to
the worldÂ's attention."--Ed Asner
For anyone who has ever wondered why cities add fluoride to water-and questioned
whether they should. Written with clear and easy-to-read prose, and supporting
citations, The Case Against Fluoride carefully lays out the arguments
against fluoridation and reasons why it should be discontinued. The authors
examine the evidence on fluoridation and conclude convincingly that it should
now be considered 'harmful and ineffective.'--Dr. Hardy Limeback, Professor
and Head of Preventative Dentistry, University of Toronto
Review by Jack Cook
Here it is; the book that took retired Professor Paul Connett and an
army of researchers and activists fourteen years to compile and write. This is
the one that rips the cover off the cover up conceived by the U. S. Public
Health Service and maintained by corporate industrial giants after World War II
to protect one of the most flawed public policies ever conceived in the United
States. It reveals one of the saddest mass public deceptions in our history.
For more than 60 years the idea of fluoridation has been supported, promoted,
advertised and force fed to an unsuspecting public until the very mention of
adverse health effects seemed like an affront to the very integrity and
expertise of the practice of dentistry and public health itself. Yet, during its
entire run as a public policy, fluoridation has continually attracted the
thoughtful challenge of intelligent and respected scientists and researchers who
did not take blindly accepted dogma at face value. Rather, their sense of ethics
and professional responsibility compelled them to read with deep understanding
the few well-planned scientific reports that were allowed to slip through the
veil of contradictory and skewed tests that were accepted without opposition by
an entire medical discipline. Those who came to the conclusion that
"fluoridation must stop" were ignored, threatened, and given a very cold
shoulder by the very officials whose job it was, and is, to protect the public
health.
Connett and his co-authors remind us that dentistry is not the enemy here. The
enemy, instead, is a system that is geared to perpetuate a belief in
fluoridation by using professional peer pressure, tremendous amounts of
promotional money, and the subtle threat of ostracism. Maintenance of the policy
of fluoridation continues by use of the tools of professional licensure and
legal pressure in a long chain of workers who are compelled to continue a
practice many of them know is wrong. And, some are compelled to follow state
mandates that have been poorly understood, poorly written, yet strongly enforced
by professionals who were responsible for twisting laws and ethics that should
have signalled a poor and failing medical policy many years ago. Only the
politics of face-saving seems to have formed the basis for the continuation of
fluoridation, especially in the U. S.. The ignorance by officials of the basic
science, law and ethics concerning this issue are unbelievably glaring.
Having been a victim of fluoride poisoning myself, the group of people who
helped compose this book are the ones who helped me recover my life. I stopped
using fluoridated toothpaste and now only drink distilled water. With the
application of several other common sense diet changes that have reduced other
toxins from my environment, my health has improved to a startling degree since I
became aware of this scam back in 2007. My teeth have actually gotten stronger
and whiter. I have no additional cavities. In fact, I was so impressed with the
honesty and forthright integrity of this dedicated group as compared to the
treatment I received from public officials when I questioned fluoride, that I
became involved with the movement to end fluoridation. I was eventually asked by
Paul Connett to help with many aspects of this publication. We worked
exhaustively on its content. And, I know we are all proud and respectful of the
final product.
To my mind, this is the most comprehensive and detailed collection of facts and
figures ever placed in one printed volume for the public's analysis of
fluoridation. It reveals in great detail the other side of an issue that
fluoridation pundits hedge or avoid altogether. It is highly readable. Its logic
and meticulously chosen studies bring the entire issue into crystal clear view
for all to see. If anything, the authors could be faulted for being too wary of
their evidence with the expectation that their work will be challenged severely
by the behemoth of the fluoride establishment. Not only is this an eye-opener
for the common public, but also for all those medical professionals who may not
have had the time to carefully review the decades of information brought
together in this one volume.
This book marks the beginning of the end of a long running scam whose details
are now clearly revealed.