Study Links Fluoride in Drinking Water to Impaired Cognition in Children

London, March 9 (NationPress) A recent study has raised concerns that exposure to fluoride during the foetal stage or in early childhood may negatively affect cognitive development in children. This research, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, originates from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and aligns with previous studies suggesting the detrimental effects of fluoride exposure on young minds.

Fluoride can be present in well water at elevated levels, and in various nations, it is added to drinking supplies to reduce dental caries among the populace.

In its natural form, fluoride exists as ions in drinking water, typically at low concentrations in public water systems.

Countries like the United States, Canada, Chile, Australia, and Ireland commonly incorporate fluoride into municipal water at approximately 0.7 mg per liter to prevent tooth decay.

Maria Kippler, an associate professor at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet, noted, 'Given the concern regarding health risks, the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water remains contentious and widely discussed in the USA and Canada.'

She further stated, 'Our findings bolster the hypothesis that even relatively low levels of fluoride can affect children's early development.'

The study followed 500 mothers and their children in rural Bangladesh, where fluoride is naturally present in drinking water, to evaluate the link between early fluoride exposure and cognitive abilities in children.

The fluoride levels measured are comparable to those found in numerous countries worldwide.

Researchers assessed fluoride exposure by analyzing the urine concentrations in mothers and children, which reflects exposure from various sources, including drinking water, food, and dental care products.

Dr. Kippler emphasized, 'Dental care products like toothpaste typically do not contribute significantly to exposure as they are not meant for ingestion.'

While fluoride in toothpaste plays a crucial role in preventing cavities, it is essential to teach young children to avoid swallowing toothpaste while brushing.

The median fluoride concentration in urine among the pregnant women from Bangladesh was 0.63 mg/L. Children whose urine fluoride levels surpassed 0.72 mg/L by age ten exhibited lower cognitive capabilities compared to those with lesser fluoride levels, particularly in verbal reasoning and the ability to process sensory information.

The researchers highlighted the need to evaluate the collective outcomes of multiple similar longitudinal studies.