Debating Water Fluoridation Before Dr. Strangelove

Abstract

In the 1930s, scientists learned that small amounts of fluoride naturally occurring in water could protect teeth from decay, and the idea of artificially adding fluoride to public water supplies to achieve the same effect arose. In the 1940s and early 1950s, a number of studies were completed to determine whether fluoride could have harmful effects. The research suggested that the possibility of harm was small. In the early 1950s, Canadian and US medical, dental, and public health bodies all endorsed water fluoridation. I argue in this article that some early concerns about the toxicity of fluoride were put aside as evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of water fluoridation mounted and as the opposition was taken over by people with little standing in the scientific, medical, and dental communities. The sense of optimism that infused postwar science and the desire of dentists to have a magic bullet that could wipe out tooth decay also affected the scientific debate.

Defeating Fluorosis in the East African Rift Valley: Transforming the Kilimanjaro into a Rainwater Harvesting Park

“…Excessive fluoride (>1.5 mg/L) in drinking water is harmful to both animal and human health [36]. The harmful physiological effects of fluoride on human health were initially suspected in the 1910s and later established in the 1930s [2,37]. Several investigations have established the risks of high fluoride ([F − ] > 1.5 mg/L) dosing of drinking water [2,5].…”

“…The harmful physiological effects of fluoride on human health were initially suspected in the 1910s and later established in the 1930s [2,37]. Several investigations have established the risks of high fluoride ([F − ] > 1.5 mg/L) dosing of drinking water [2,5]. The benefits of minimal exposure (about 1.0 mg/L [F − ]) were also reported but have never been scientifically established [2].…”

“…Several investigations have established the risks of high fluoride ([F − ] > 1.5 mg/L) dosing of drinking water [2,5]. The benefits of minimal exposure (about 1.0 mg/L [F − ]) were also reported but have never been scientifically established [2]. A low daily fluoride dose is considered responsible for inhibiting dental caries [2,5].…”

“…The benefits of minimal exposure (about 1.0 mg/L [F − ]) were also reported but have never been scientifically established [2]. A low daily fluoride dose is considered responsible for inhibiting dental caries [2,5]. It is evident that excess fluoride should be removed to achieve safe drinking water standards.…”

“…At low concentrations, fluoride has been reported to have some useful physiological properties in human health [1][2][3]. Fluoride is believed to stabilize the skeletal system by increasing the size of apatite crystals and reducing their solubility [3].…”