February - Ban Fluoride

 Alright, everyone. Right now would be a good time to take a deep breath and maybe sit down, this article may be extremely shocking to a lot of you. I admit I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but this is a major issue that I'm surprised I didn't give more thought to before.

How is fluoride bad?  

1. The necessary scientific tests to satisfactorily prove fluoride's safety have never been performed. 
2. Fluoride is not a necessary nutrient, and gets accumulated in the body. 
3. There are 36 studies that show a correlation between over exposure to fluoride as an infant or young child, and lowered IQ.  
4. Fluoride causes dental fluorosis (staining of the teeth). 
5. Fluorides have the ability to interfere with the functions of the brain. 
6. Fluoride lowers thyroid function. In fact, in the mid 20th century it was a prescribed medicine to lower thyroid function in people with over active thyroid glands. 
7. Fluoride supplements have never been approved by the FDA and any supplements that they have  reviewed were rejected...and to think, you need a doctor's prescription to get the supplement!
8. Fluoride is more toxic than lead and only slightly less toxic than arsenic. What are they thinking by having us consuming it?  

 I know some of you are thinking "well that's all fine and good, but I only get fluoride from my toothpaste and the water labeled with added fluoride". There are actually many things that have fluoride added that you might not know about.  

What contains fluoride other than toothpaste? 

1. Many public water supplies have fluoride added to help treat tooth decay. 
2. There are many fluoride pesticides and insecticides in use today. 
3. Teflon pans contain fluoride in their lining. 
4. Processed beverages/foods contain fluoride if fluoridated water was used as one of their ingredients. 
5. Some cheap green and black teas found at supermarkets including brands: Lipton, Nestle, Arizona, Sweet Leaf, and Snapple. 
6. Fluoride supplements 
7. Table Salts. Since products with fluoride in the US do not need to be labeled, there is not really an easy way to tell a non fluoridated product from a fluoridated one.  

If you're upset now, just wait until you hear where this fluoride comes from!

So what are some different types of fluoride, and where do they come from? 

1. Sodium Fluoride is used in most toothpastes, mouthwashes, dental varnish, dental preparations, and nutritional supplements. The same compound is also used as an insecticide and pesticide, as a preservative in glues, and as a growth inhibitor for bacteria, fungi, and mold. It is used to make steel and aluminium products, some also use it as a glass frosting and wood preservative. Sodium fluoride is also used in the manufacture of chemical and biological weapons. Not commonly used for water fluoridation. 
2. Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) is a compound of calcium and fluorine which occurs naturally as the mineral fluorite (also called feldspar). Fluorides in general are considered toxic to humans, but calcium fluoride is considered one of the safer fluorides. 
3. Cyrolite or Sodium Aluminium Fluorite, is commonly used for aluminum smelting. It is also a pesticide often applied directly to field crops, causing fluoride residues in and on vegetables. And they're allowed to sell us these vegetables without any warnings! 
4. Fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6) is commonly used for public water fluoridation. This fluoride is a toxic liquid by-product of the phosphate fertilizer industry. It is also called Hexafluosilicic, Hexafluosilicic, Hydrofluosilicic, and Silicofluoric acid. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) approximates 95% of our water is fluoridated with fluorisilicic acid. 
5. Sodium Fluorosilicate (Na2SiF6) is primarily added to public drinking water as a fluoridation agent. It is also used as an insecticide and a wood preservative. It is a classified hazardous waste by-product of the phosphate fertilizer industry. Which, if not dumped into our water, must be disposed of at hazardous waste facilities! Other names include Sodium Fluosilicate and Sodium Silica Fluoride. 
6. Stannous Fluoride is the popular name given to tin (II) fluoride. it is an additive in many toothpastes because it does not become biologically inactive in the presence of calcium, as sodium fluoride does. 
7. Sulfuryl Fluoride is applied as a gas fumigant to kill insects and rodents. The use of this fluoride was not allowed around food products due to its toxicity. In 2004 the EPA reversed this policy and many factories today fumigate their factories leaving high levels of fluoride in and on food and food packaging. There have been no labeling requirements for food treated with Sulfuryl Fluoride, so we have no way of knowing which foods are treated! Reportedly the use of this fluoride will stop during the course of this year, let's hope they follow through with it!  

Some Other Facts 

1. Bottled water typically has unknown fluoride content. 
2. Though fluoridated water is not scientifically proven bad for us on its own, those scientific studies do not take into account all the other ways we are ingesting fluoride. 
3. All fluoridated toothpastes have a warning label on them stating that if you swallow more than a pea sized amount to contact poison control immediately. 
4. In rural areas that are unable to have fluoridated water, the milk is sometimes fluoridated. 
5. Fluoride has the most risks for bottle fed babies, if you add fluoridated water to their baby formula.  
6. Activated alumina, bone char, and reverse osmosis filters can filter out fluoride. Brita and Pur brands do not filter out fluoride. Boiling water with fluoride only concentrates the fluoride content, freezing also doesn't do anything to affect the fluoride content. 

 Alright now for some ideas to try this month, assess the level you are and follow the suggestions. 

Level One - You have never heard about fluoride being dangerous and are kind of freaking out right now. Here are some ideas for you: 

1. Watch 10 facts about fluoride 
2. Check to see if your water is fluoridated at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/Index.asp 
3. If your water is fluoridated get a filter that can filter that fluoride out, if you don't have one already.  
4. Get rid of that fluoride toothpaste! To find some alternative toothpastes visit http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/toothpaste/ You can also look up products you already have and find out what they are ranked. (green 0-2 are the best and red 7-10 is the worst score)  

Level Two - You had some idea about this fluoride thing, but can't resist the allure of perfect white teeth. Here are some ideas for you:

1. Watch 10 facts about fluoride 
2. Check to see if your water is fluoridated at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/Index.asp 
3. If your water is fluoridated get a filter that can filter that fluoride out, if you don't have one already. 
4. Get rid of that fluoride toothpaste! To find some alternative toothpastes visit http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/toothpaste/ You can also look up products you already have and find out what they are ranked. (green 0-2 are the best and red 7-10 is the worst score)  
5. Check out Fluoridealert.org they have all the info you'll ever need about fluoride. 
6. Try to stay away from bottled water.
7. Watch the fluoride protest song .

Level Three - You know about the fluoride in water and toothpaste, and avoid those items if you can. Here are some ideas for you: 

1. Watch 10 facts about fluoride 
2. Check to see if your water is fluoridated at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/Index.asp 
3. If your water is fluoridated get a filter that can filter that fluoride out, if you don't have one already.
4. Follow recommendations for the previous levels 
5. This month don't buy any cheap teas.
6. Watch the fluoride protest song  

Level Four - You know fluoride is bad for you but thought it was only in toothpaste, water, and a very few other things. Here are some ideas for you: 

1. Watch 10 facts about fluoride 
2. Check to see if your water is fluoridated at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/Index.asp 
3. If your water is fluoridated get a filter that can filter that fluoride out, if you don't have one already. 
4. Follow recommendations for the previous levels 
5. Stay away from Teflon Pans (they have fluoride in their lining). If you are considering buying Green Pans, think again. They are created using nanotechnology, and anything with nano particles is really bad for our health. The only safe cookware alternatives are: Glass, stainless steel, cast iron, and enamel (as long as it doesn't crack, once enamel cookware cracks it is no longer safe to use.).
6. Watch the fluoride protest song   

Level Five - You know a lot about the dangers of fluoride, but had no idea it was in so many products. Here are some ideas for you: 

1. Watch 10 facts about fluoride 
2. Check to see if your water is fluoridated at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/Index.asp 
3. If your water is fluoridated get a filter that can filter that fluoride out, if you don't have one already. 
4. Follow recommendations for the previous levels  
5. Avoid processed foods. Labeling foods containing fluoride is not required in the US so it's best to know where your food comes from. 
6. Watch the fluoride protest song    

Level Six - You knew all about fluoride already, this is so yesterdays news! Well I have some ideas for you: 

1. Speak out!!!! Spread the word, don't just keep it to yourself, the world has to know about this! 
2. Share with me how your activism is going, I'd love to hear about it!  

Sources 

• http://fluoridedetective.com/types-of-fluoride/  
• http://fluoridedetective.com/fluoridated-salt/ 
• http://www.fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/50-reasons.pdf 
• http://fluoridealert.org/ 
• http://www.care2.com/greenliving/dangers-of-cookware-safe-alternatives.html