drinking water Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Research Shows: Fluoride Exposure in Drinking Water Damages Liver & Kidney Function

The AHA! Team — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 05:28:25 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – We know there’s fluoride in most brands of toothpaste and mouthwash. But, most disturbingly, conventional dentistry is proud to support these products – even though the dangers of fluoride exposure have been well-documented throughout the independent scientific literature. To make matters worse, way too many people are still drinking tap water contaminated with fluoride. We’ve got to tell people how dangerous this is to human health. For example, research in the mid-1970s by the late Dr. Dean Burk, head of the cytochemistry division of the National Cancer Institute, indicated that 10,000 or more fluoridation-linked cancer deaths occur yearly in the United States. Now, a recent study published in Environmental International points to how damaging fluoride exposure can be to adolescents, too. A one, two punch if you will – since many of these children were already affected by fluoride in the womb – and now their continued exposure is leading to organ damage. Fluoride represents a clear and present danger to children Ashley Malin, PhD, lead author of the study, which comes out of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, expresses serious concern about the compound’s widespread addition to the public drinking water supply (a move many call mass medication). In a press release, Malin states: “This study’s findings suggest that there may be potential kidney and liver health concerns to consider when evaluating fluoride use and appropriate levels in public health interventions. Prospective studies are needed to examine the impact of chronic low-level fluoride exposure on kidney and liver function in the U.S. population.” Malin and her colleagues assessed blood samples of nearly 1,983 adolescents. They also assessed tap water samples and their fluoride content in the homes of 1,742 adolescents. Based on their analyses and consistent with prior research about childhood fluoride exposure, the authors determined a dose-dependent relationship between fluoride exposure and kidney and liver function. In other words, the more fluoride children are exposed to, the more damage their organs will endure. Importantly, the authors substantiated that even low levels of fluoride exposure can contribute to liver and kidney damage. They also point out that children with poor kidney and liver function may absorb even more of the fluoride – which sounds like the start of a vicious cycle to us. Tap water can be very dangerous to your family’s health About three-quarters of all U.S. public drinking water has been laced with fluoride – reportedly as a way to protect our nation’s dental health, even though more than a quarter of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 lose all their teeth anyway. But did you know bottled water also contains naturally occurring fluoride? The point is that most bottled water brands are bad for you, but tap water isn’t necessarily much better – at least until it’s purified. So, an effective way to protect your family from contaminants and pollutants in available water sources is to use a high-quality water purification system. Ideally, look for a system that filters out fluoride, too. And know this: Children and adolescents can only excrete about 45 percent of fluoride via their kidneys – the very organs that are damaged by the compound they must try to get rid of. As an adult, you can clear fluoride at 60 percent. So, as important as it is for you to protect yourself against fluoride dangers, it’s the more critical for you to protect your younger children. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov BostonMagazine.com FluorideAlert.org NaturalHealth365.com Oralanswers.com MountSinai.org To read the original article click here.

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The 5 Hidden Dangers of Fluoride: What You Need to Know

The AHA! Team — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:02:46 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Dispelling Fluoride Confusion: It’s in Your Water, in Your Toothpaste, and Recommended by Many Dentists The Problem with Fluoride As a medical professional dedicated to holistic and preventative health, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the pervasive use of fluoride in our daily lives. Fluoride, a mineral commonly found in water, soil, and various foods, is celebrated for its role in preventing tooth decay. However, mounting evidence suggests that excessive fluoride exposure can have serious neurotoxic effects and other health implications. Recent studies have shown that prenatal exposure to fluoride can impair brain development in unborn children. For example, research published in JAMA Pediatrics found that higher fluoride levels during pregnancy were associated with lower IQ scores in children. Another study indicated that fluoride exposure could lead to neurobehavioral issues, including autism-like symptoms(EverydayHealth.com) (The current e-Letter). These findings are alarming, especially considering the widespread exposure to fluoride through drinking water and dental products. Moreover, fluoride can kill good gut bacteria, which is essential for maintaining a healthy microbiome. A Brazilian study found that sodium fluoride was effective at inhibiting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria(The Candida Diet). This disruption can lead to various health issues, including weakened immune response and digestive problems. The CDC’s Recommendations The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a fluoride concentration of 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) in community drinking water to prevent tooth decay. However, even this “optimal” level may not be entirely safe, as recent studies suggest potential neurotoxic effects at these concentrations. Issues with the CDC Recommendations The CDC’s recommended fluoride levels, though intended to prevent dental cavities, may pose significant risks to developing brains. For instance, a Canadian study involving over 500 mother-child pairs found a link between fluoridated drinking water during pregnancy and lower IQs in children(EverydayHealth.com). This raises critical questions about the adequacy of current safety standards. Dental Endorsements and Recommendations The American Dental Association (ADA) strongly endorses the use of fluoride, citing its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay. Dentists across the country recommend fluoride treatments and fluoride-containing products like toothpaste and mouth rinses. These recommendations are based on decades of research supporting fluoride’s benefits for dental health. However, the dental community has been slower to acknowledge the potential systemic risks associated with fluoride. Many dentists continue to support fluoride use because of its proven benefits in reducing cavities. This endorsement, combined with the ADA’s influential position, has led to widespread acceptance of fluoride despite emerging evidence of its neurotoxic potential. Differences Between Fluoride in Water and Dental Treatments The fluoride added to community water supplies is meant to provide systemic benefits by exposing the entire population to low levels of fluoride. This is supposed to strengthen teeth from within. In contrast, the fluoride used in dental treatments is highly concentrated and applied topically, targeting the tooth surface directly. This localized application helps remineralize enamel and reverse early signs of decay without significant ingestion. Why Fluoride is Used in Tap Water and Toothpaste Fluoride is added to tap water and toothpaste because it has been shown to reduce the incidence of dental cavities significantly. Brands like Colgate, Crest, and Sensodyne incorporate fluoride into their products to enhance their cavity-fighting properties. These companies claim that fluoride helps to protect teeth by making enamel more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. The Concerns Fluoride exposure has been linked to various health issues, including: Gut Health: Fluoride can disrupt the balance of good gut bacteria, leading to digestive and immune system problems(The Candida Diet). Bone Health: While fluoride can strengthen bones, excessive exposure can lead to skeletal fluorosis, causing pain and damage to bones and joints. Thyroid Function: As a halide, fluoride can interfere with thyroid function, potentially contributing to hypothyroidism and weight gain(The Candida Diet). Enzyme Interference: Fluoride can disrupt various enzyme functions in the body, which are critical for numerous physiological processes. Neurodevelopmental Issues: Fluoride exposure during pregnancy has been linked to lower IQ and neurobehavioral issues such as ADD/ADHD(The current e-Letter). Solutions To mitigate the risks associated with fluoride exposure, consider these options: Filtered Water: Use water filters that remove fluoride. Brands like Berkey and Aquagear offer effective and affordable solutions for home use. Fluoride-Free Toothpaste: Switch to toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. Brands such as Tom’s of Maine, Dr. Bronner’s, and Jason Natural provide excellent fluoride-free alternatives. Spring Water: Opt for natural spring water. My personal favorite is Mountain Valley Spring Water in glass bottles for its purity and mineral content. While this option may be more costly and less convenient, it is a highly effective way to avoid fluoride. Additionally, I recommend rinsing your mouth 3-7 times after brushing your teeth to ensure that you remove as much fluoride as possible. For those who prefer fluoride toothpaste due to its enamel-strengthening benefits, I recommend using Pro-Enamel Repair Toothpaste to balance the benefits while mitigating risks. Conclusion Fluoride has been a contentious topic for years, celebrated for its role in preventing tooth decay but scrutinized for its potential health risks. By understanding the sources and effects of fluoride, and exploring safer alternatives, we can make more informed decisions for our health and that of our families. References: JAMA Pediatrics study on fluoride exposure and IQ: Link Healthnews article on fluoride’s neurobehavioral impact: Link Brazilian study on fluoride’s impact on gut bacteria: Link As we continue to research and understand the full implications of fluoride exposure, it’s crucial to stay informed and consider safer alternatives for a healthier future. Dr. Colbert isn’t anti- flouride he just wants people to understand the dangers, because it does have some benefits, he recommends pro-enamel repair toothepaste To read the original article click here.

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Which Chemicals in Tap Water Can Wreck Your Health?

AHA Publisher — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 08:00:34 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Perhaps nothing is as essential to maintaining good health as safe and adequate drinking water. But an increase in water contaminants in recent years has heightened concerns over what is coming out of the tap when you reach for that faucet. In fact, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) have stated that fluoride – which is deliberately placed in public water systems throughout North America – directly ‘contribute to the development of mental disorders in children, such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism.’ Can U.S. Citizens Trust EPA Water “Safety” Standards? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that Americans should expect their drinking water, whether from the tap or bottle, to contain at least trace amounts of certain pollutants and contaminants. Don’t you love the way they downplay the health concern? (i.e. ‘trace amounts’) According to the agency, finding impurities in drinking water does not necessarily mean it is dangerous to consume. To that end, the EPA has created standards for about 90 contaminants most often found in drinking water, providing limits for what the agency has determined are safe levels. In addition, the list includes what the EPA has labeled as “indicators,” substances that signal a likely problem with a treatment facility or distribution system. Is Your Water Supply Safe to Drink? While these “National Primary Drinking Water Regulations” may provide some legally enforceable standards that public water systems must adhere to, the presence of contaminants in drinking water continues to raise questions as to whether safe levels truly are “safe,” and what the long-term health consequences may be of consuming even trace levels of hazardous chemicals over long periods of time. And with fewer than 100 contaminants on the list, the public is at risk for additional substances not falling under the regulation that pose a health threat for cancer and other ills. Among the classifications of hazardous substances most commonly found in drinking water supplies are: Microorganisms Disinfectants Disinfection byproducts Inorganic chemicals Organic chemicals Radionuclides Notice what is NOT mentioned (tested)? How about all the pharmaceutical drugs flushed down the toilet – every single day! Microorganisms Prove to Be Deadly Modern municipal treatment processes, including disinfection and filtration, have led to complacency about drinking water safety. But all the technology available cannot always completely safeguard people from deadly microorganism contamination and other pollutants. The Natural Resources Defense Council points to an incident in upstate New York in 1999 when more than 1,000 county fairgoers fell ill due to waterborne contamination by a particularly virulent strain of E. Coli bacteria. An elderly man and young child died when they were not strong enough to fight off the pathogen. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Health officials around the country have documented similar situations of human health compromised by microorganism contamination of drinking water. Problems with microorganisms in water most often result from contamination with human or animal fecal matter or bacteria that typically exist in the environment. How Do Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Get Into the Water Supply? Ironically, when agents are added to water to control the growth of microbes, these disinfectants can become contaminants themselves. In addition, substances that are formed during the disinfection process can also find their way into the drinking water. For example, chlorine added to control the growth of bacteria can cause nose and throat irritation and irritate the stomach. In addition, bromate and haloacetic acids can form during the disinfection process and contaminate water. Both substances are considered cancer-causing agents, according to the EPA. Other disinfectant byproducts have been linked to serious reproductive problems. Can Inorganic and Organic Chemicals Harm the Body? Large numbers of organic and inorganic chemicals find their way into public drinking water, causing everything from kidney damage and intestinal lesions to nerve disorders. For example, an inorganic chemical like arsenic can contaminate drinking water supplies due to erosion of natural deposits, orchard runoff, or contamination from waste sites that handle materials like electronics and glass. Fluoride, added to many municipal water supplies, can lead to bone disease, teeth mottling, and lower IQ. Organic chemicals like atrazine, a chemical used in agriculture production that can enter water supplies through runoff, raise havoc with cardiovascular and reproductive systems. What Kind of Radionuclides Can Be Found in Our Water Supply? Contaminants like uranium and alpha particles can enter the water supply from natural erosion. These and other radionuclides are known to raise the risk of cancer and lead to kidney toxicity. These outdated ‘safety standards’ from the EPA raise serious health concerns. While the EPA regulates only 91 contaminants through the Safe Drinking Water Act, the agency is quick to point out that over 60,000 chemicals are used in some capacity across the nation. According to an analysis of government records by The New York Times, these chemicals have been scrutinized by government officials and independent researchers, and hundreds have been found to increase the risk of cancer and raise other serious health risks, even when found at tiny concentrations in drinking water. Despite this finding, however, no additional chemicals have been added since 2000 to the list falling under regulation of the Safe Drinking Water Act, leaving citizens with unanswered questions about the safety of their water supply. If you want to be sure about the safety of your water supply – get it tested and take the appropriate actions necessary to protect you and your family. After all, drinking pure (clean) spring water or purified water is one of the best ways to stay healthy. Sources for this article include: EWG.org MedicalDaily.com EPA.gov NRDC.org To read the original article click here.

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SHOCKING Truth You Should Know About Your Drinking Water

AHA Publisher — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 07:00:43 +0000

Wendy Miller via NaturalHealth365 – Too many people believe that since our drinking water is readily available and clear, it contains few to no contaminants. The fact is, almost 41% of our water supply that comes from wells contains some type of pesticide or other contaminants. Close to one-third contains some type of pesticide degradates. Degradates are produced as pesticides transform into various other compounds. Both pesticides and degradates can have a disastrous effect on a person’s health. There are solutions, however. How Pesticides Make Their Way Into Your Drinking Water Pesticides are applied to agricultural fields to reduce the risk of potential loss due to various types of pests. The problem is that the pesticides are washed off of the plants and into the ground. Rain and melting snow then carry them along the ground’s surface to lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds. Precipitation also carries the pesticides deep into the soil where it reaches our groundwater supply. Once it enters the aquifers and wells, it is then drawn up through pumps into our city water supplies. It is also drawn into the wells that supply rural homes. Pesticides Are More Prevalent Than You Think Even though many think that pesticides are only a problem in rural areas, pesticides are also sometimes found in the aquifers that support larger communities. Both pesticides and degradates can make their way into almost any water supply simply by following the path that water takes. Spraying is not the only way pesticides are applied. Aerial applications can spread pesticides much farther than their designated target area. This means the pesticides can be carried by the wind just as much as the water carries them. As a result, the migration patterns of pesticides are widespread no matter how it is transferred. Let’s Take a Closer Look at Pesticides in Groundwater There are four common herbicides found in groundwater samples. They include prometon, atrazine, tebuthiuron, and hexazinone. In addition to these pesticides, many mixtures of the four show up in various concentrations in aquifers and other surface bodies of water. Even though maximum contaminant levels have been established when it comes to pesticides, there are no real water quality benchmarks to go by. The Environmental Protection Agency has yet to develop definitive limits on when MCL’s actually become harmful to humans. What Can Be Done to Minimize Pesticides in Drinking Water? The introduction of organic practices in land management is a good start when it comes to cleaning up our water supply. Organic and regenerative agricultural practices will help reduce the number of pesticides being used and limit the number of chemicals that end up in our water supplies. As water moves through the soil on its way to the aquifer, a small portion of the chemicals and pesticides are filtered out. With fewer pesticides being used, less will eventually be found in our drinking water. The next time you draw a glass of water from the tap, think about how you can improve the water quality in your area. Find out what organic and regenerative agricultural practices are being used in your area. Learning as much as you can about what impacts our drinking water can be an eye-opening experience. And, of course, make sure – if needed – that you’re using a good water purification system or drinking a clean source of natural spring water. Sources for this article include: NaturalHealth365 EPA ACS.org To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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America’s Troubled Drinking Water Supply, It’s Worse Than Most People Can Imagine

AHA Publisher — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 07:00:47 +0000

Damon Hines via NaturalHealth365 – From coast to coast, America’s drinking water supply is threatened by a variety of sources: plastics, pesticides, pathogens, PFAS, lax standards, and aging infrastructure create a perfect storm of toxicity. On July 28, 2010, the United Nations declared this issue to be a human right under International Law. Today, more than ten years later, 30 million people in the U.S. live in areas where they lack access to safe drinking water, two million people are denied access to running water and basic indoor plumbing, and over 110 million are exposed to toxic chemicals in their drinking water. America’s water is troubled but what’s more troubling is the lack of initiative to better enforce environmental safety laws, push for new legislation, and hold those parties – Big Government, Big Business, Greedy Policymakers – accountable for the ongoing water crisis. “Like a blood test for a disease, you only find what you test for” Erin Brockovich, the activist and clean water pioneer, makes this statement in her book Superman’s Not Coming: Our National Water Crisis and What We the People Can Do about It. Pollutants and toxins are everywhere, from the biological to the chemical, from the hazardous wastes and byproducts of industry and agriculture to chlorine and disinfectants. There are over 40,000 chemicals on the market, and only a few hundred are regulated. With so many dangerous chemicals, how do we know what to test for? The fact is: every city delivery system is different. For example, in Flint, Michigan, the national headline was about high lead levels. The same held true for Newark, New Jersey. In 2014, algal blooms and runoff from farms in the Lake Erie watershed shut down the Toledo, Ohio drinking water system. Other common toxic offenders include TCE (used in dry cleaning and refrigeration), hexavalent chromium (an anticorrosive agent), and PFASs (otherwise known as “forever chemicals”), which have become the latest headline grabber in the U.S. The CDC lists PFAS as potential carcinogens and endocrine disrupters. “A cocktail of chemicals all the time” The water crisis in Flint, Michigan wasn’t a one-off event. According to Seth M. Siegel, “We are ingesting, in micro quantities, a cocktail of chemicals all the time.” A 2018 study found that 21 million people in the U.S. were receiving water from utilities that violated the Safe Drinking Water Act. Many of these people live in rural, low-income areas. The health hazards of contaminated water are as numerous as the toxins polluting the systems. Chronic exposure to toxic byproducts have been linked to liver, kidney, and nervous systems problems, as well as increased risks of cancer. Outbreaks of E. coli, norovirus, giardia, and cryptosporidium have all contaminated water supplies. And Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia, and other pathogens, are known to grow in aging pipes and infrastructure. It’s going to take more than an Brita filter to fix America’s troubled waters. It’s a public health crisis that We the People need to solve … by pushing for change, new legislation, and by bridging the gap between clean resources and human rights. Sources for this article include: Theguardian.com, Theguardian.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Removing the Novel Coronavirus From the Water Cycle

AHA Publisher — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 07:00:53 +0000

University of California – Riverside via EurekAlert – Scientists call for more research to understand whether water treatment methods kill the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientists know that coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV-19 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, can remain infectious for days — or even longer — in sewage and drinking water. Two researchers, Haizhou Liu, an associate professor of chemical and environmental engineering at the University of California, Riverside; and Professor Vincenzo Naddeo, director of the Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division at the University of Salerno, have called for more testing to determine whether water treatment methods are effective in killing SARS-CoV-19 and coronaviruses in general. The virus can be transported in microscopic water droplets, or aerosols, which enter the air through evaporation or spray, the researchers wrote in an editorial for Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, a leading environmental journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the United Kingdom. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need for a careful evaluation of the fate and control of this contagious virus in the environment,” Liu said. “Environmental engineers like us are well positioned to apply our expertise to address these needs with international collaborations to protect public health.” During a 2003 SARS outbreak in Hong Kong, a sewage leak caused a cluster of cases through aerosolization. Though no known cases of COVID-19 have been caused by sewage leaks, the novel coronavirus is closely related to the one that causes SARS, and infection via this route could be possible. The novel coronavirus could also colonize biofilms that line drinking water systems, making showerheads a possible source of aerosolized transmission. This transmission pathway is thought to be a major source of exposure to the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease, for example. Fortunately, most water treatment routines are thought to kill or remove coronaviruses effectively in both drinking and wastewater. Oxidation with hypochlorous acid or peracetic acid, and inactivation by ultraviolet irradiation, as well as chlorine, are thought to kill coronaviruses. In wastewater treatment plants that use membrane bioreactors, the synergistic effects of beneficial microorganisms and the physical separation of suspended solids filter out viruses concentrated in the sewage sludge. Liu and Naddeo caution, however, that most of these methods have not been studied for effectiveness specifically on SARS-CoV-19 and other coronaviruses, and they have called for additional research. They also suggest upgrading existing water and wastewater treatment infrastructure in outbreak hot spots, which possibly receive coronavirus from places such as hospitals, community clinics, and nursing homes. For example, energy-efficient, light-emitting, diode-based, ultraviolet point-of-use systems could disinfect water before it enters the public treatment system. Potable water-reuse systems, which purify wastewater back into tap water, also need thorough investigation for coronavirus removal, and possibly new regulatory standards for disinfection, the researchers wrote. The extent to which viruses can colonize biofilms is also not yet known. Biofilms are thin, slimy bacterial growths that line the pipes of many aging drinking water systems. Better monitoring of coronaviruses in biofilms might be necessary to prevent outbreaks. The surge in household use of bactericides, virucides and disinfectants will probably cause an increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. Treated wastewater discharged into natural waterways demands careful monitoring through the entire water cycle. Liu and Naddeo call on chemists, environmental engineers, microbiologists, and public health specialists to develop multidisciplinary and practical solutions for safe drinking water and healthy aquatic environments. Lastly, developing countries and some regions within highly developed nations, such as rural and impoverished communities, which lack the basic infrastructure to remove other common contaminants might not be able to remove SARS-CoV-19 either. These places might experience frequent COVID-19 outbreaks that spread easily through globalized trade and travel. Liu and Naddeo suggest governments of developed countries must support and finance water and sanitation systems wherever they are needed. “It is now clear to all that globalization also introduces new health risks. Where water and sanitation systems are not adequate, the risk of finding novel viruses is very high,” Naddeo said. “In a responsible and ideal scenario, the governments of developed countries must support and finance water and sanitation systems in developing countries, in order to also protect the citizens of their own countries.” To read the original article click here.

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