Is Fluoride in Drinking Water Safe?

This week Reactions takes a look at the science going on in our tap water, mainly the fluoride. The chemistry of fluoride has helped reduce cavities in children for decades. Still, more than 70 years after Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city to fluoridate its drinking water, the practice remains controversial. Some worry that fluoridated drinking water can lead to health issues, but what is the scientific consensus?

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LA Funk

Producer:
Elaine Seward

Writer:
Darcy Gentleman, Ph.D.

Executive Producer:
Adam Dylewski

Scientific consultants:
Michael Hornyak, Ph.D.
Susan Richardson, Ph.D.
Darcy Gentleman, Ph.D.

Sources:
A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18584000
Collection of systematic reviews of water fluoridation: http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/safety/systematic.htm
http://www.cochrane.org/CD010856/ORAL_water-fluoridation-prevent-tooth-decay
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11021861
A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/eh41_1.pdf
2015 CDC Statement on Fluoride: http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/pdf/statement-cwf-6-8-2015.pdf
2015 U.S. Public Health Service Recommendations: http://www.publichealthreports.org/documents/PHS_2015_Fluoride_Guidelines.pdf
2005 ADA report on Fluoride research (specifically addressing health concerns): http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Member%20Center/FIles/fluoridation_facts.ashx
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4841a1.htm
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/19/anti-fluoride-science-australia
http://blogs.mcgill.ca/oss/tag/fluoride/
http://www.waterrf.org/resources/StateOfTheScienceReports/Fluoride_StateOfTheScience.pdf

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Reactions is produced by the American Chemical Society.

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S03E38 - How Does Fluorescence Work?