In general, Americans are not warned of therisks of fluoride. Food and beverage labels do not includefluoride concentrations. Fluoride is the only chemical added to U.S.municipal water that is used to mass medicate, rather than torender water safe to drink. It is not an essential nutrient. Although fluoride can occur naturally in some watersupplies, the type of fluoride added to water is a hazardouswaste of the aluminum, uranium, and phosphate fertilizerindustries.
Fluoride accumulates throughout the body, overan individual's lifetime.
It effects all age groups withboth long and short-term harmful health consequences. Fluorosisis symptomatic of an over-exposure to fluoride. Its visiblecharacteristics are the discoloration, white flecks, or pittingof the teeth. Fluorosis can lead to decay in teeth and bone, andhas been linked to Alzheimer's, kidney damage, cancer, geneticdamage, neurological impairment, and bone pathology. Postmenopausal womenand elderly men in fluoridated communities may also be atincreased risk of fractures.