US Study Reveals Fluoride’s Safety in Water

• A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics links higher fluoride exposure to lower IQ in children.

• The study, led by Kyla Taylor, found a “statistically significant association” between fluoride exposure and reduced IQ scores.

• The study suggests that exposure below 1.5 mg/L, the World Health Organization’s safety limit, may also affect children’s IQ.

• Steven Levy, a member of the American Dental Association, raised concerns about the study’s methodology, citing 52 studies rated “low quality” by the authors.

• Levy questioned the study’s use of single-point urine samples instead of 24-hour collections and the challenges in reliably assessing young children’s IQ.

• Despite these uncertainties, the journal commends the study for its methodological rigour.

• Fluoride toothpastes have been widely available since the 1960s, but some research suggests diminishing returns.