"Conspiracy theories versus scientific theories"; by Todd Whitcombe.
Professor Whitcombe's supporting fluoridation article theorizes referendums on fluoride use are unnecessary. He suggests leaving important decisions to the people, is not smart. Trust well-educated leaders, they know better. Stopping fluoridation because it may; be a toxic waste product of industrial plants, cause cancer, cause people to become stupid or comes from the Manhattan project are false, conspiracy theories. Professor Whitcombe, what unbiased facts do you have supporting your theories?
A recent scientific study published July 20, 2012 reviewing 27 credible, international studies conducted by the Department of Environmental Health; Harvard School of Public Health confirms reductions in IQ levels of children drinking fluoridated water (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3491930/). The study concludes "The results support the possibility of an adverse effect of high fluoride exposure on children's neurodevelopment." Simply put, fluoride contributed to children becoming dumber, not smarter. Scientific observations exist in peer-reviewed published documents regarding fluoride accumulating in a person's body (bio-accumulation) documenting fluoride poisoning causing neurotoxicity in adults (poisons their nervous system) including cancer and thyroid problems. Different fluoride formulations are being used in drinking water and tablets.
Some formulations are industrial waste products requiring material safety data sheets defining their toxicity by law. Certain fluoridation mixtures include silicone and sodium differing from naturally-occurring calcium fluoride. Related chemicals have well-documented and scientifically-confirmed health risks and problems, chemically reacting in community water systems reacting with plumbing and chlorine levels in uncertain ways.
You conclude with a question; "If fluoride made people less intelligent, wouldn't this effect manifest in the collective intelligence of the developed world where water fluoridation has been a common practice?" How much of our fluoride improved intelligence, supporting the highest child poverty levels, thinking heavy use of antidepressants is normal; expecting people to unconditionally trust leaders, do you consider fluoride improved behaviour?
Failing to recognize harmful effects of fluoridation due to reduced intelligence from fluoridation, is additional evidence of fluoridation problems. Many European countries, our oldest developed civilizations have stopped fluoridating their drinking water. Professor, I respectfully offer a suggestion, using my improved intelligence from drinking fluoridated water; there are many purposefully misleading assumptions in your article. Please take the responsible opportunity to understand the many, diverse, and opposing yet factually presented scientific articles on fluoride use and correct your mistakes.
Emile Begin
Prince George
