New report finds 'no strong evidence' that fluoride in water has negative health effects
A new report has found "no strong evidence" that adding fluoride to community water supplies has negative health effects.
The study by the Health Research Board involved an in-depth evidence review of existing research in relation to the health effects of CWF (community water fluoridation - water that is artificially fluoridated with a precise low dose of fluoride).
Opponents of fluoridation have suggested that it can impact on public health.
"The literature found no strong evidence that CWF is definitively associated with negative health effects," the report stated.
"However, the evidence base examining the association between health effects and community water fluoridation is scarce.
"It is mainly based on ecological studies and a small number of prospective cohort studies. Ecological studies are not adequate to infer causality.
"Having examined the evidence, and given the paucity of studies of appropriate design, further research would be required in order to provide definitive proof, especially in relation to bone health (osteosarcoma and bone density) and thyroid disease (hypothyroidism)."
The president of the Irish Dental Association, Dr Anne Twomey, said the Association would study the findings carefully.
“The review found no definitive evidence to link fluoridation to increased bone fractures, reduced IQ, cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders, Down Syndrome or increased mortality from all causes. In relation to an alleged link to bone cancer, it said the literature pointed to “mixed” effects and no link had been proven,” she said.
“The HRB review follows fifteen major peer-reviewed studies of fluoridation undertaken across the world by recognised academic authorities in the past twenty years.
“None of these major reviews has concluded that community water fluoridation poses a known risk to general health or has suggested halting water fluoridation.
“These, and other reviews which dealt solely with oral health, show a significant benefit to dental health and through this to general health.”
