Written by TORONTO — Canadian dental experts defended the use of fluoride in drinking water Thursday as some environmental activists claimed international studies show the chemical can cause brain damage in children and called for an end to the “60-year experiment.”
Environmental groups said their experts looked at studies from India, China, Brazil and other countries documenting what they consider the dangers fluoride poses to human health, and the minimal benefits it provides for dental care.
“Studies are showing that the addition of fluoride to municipal water supplies is having little effect on oral health,” Karen Buck of Citizens for a Safe Environment told a news conference at the Ontario legislature.
“Instead, the recent studies provide mounting evidence that fluoride can adversely affect the neurological development of children.”
Other environmentalists complained that Canada has not taken the time to conduct its own scientific studies on the possible adverse affects of fluoride on people’s health, especially on children who are still developing.
“The proper toxilogical studies have not been done,” said Cindy Mayor of People for Safe Drinking Water.
” So technically we’re still in the experimental stage after 60 years.”
