FAN Bulletin 904

December 19, 2007

Dear All,

For the past few weeks people in Queensland and Victoria, Australia have been stunned by what appears to be an  orchestrated national campaign to complete the fluoridation of Australia’s water supplies (the NHMRC, 2007 report; Carnie using the holiday period in the attempt to force through fluoridation in Ballarat and Geelong; Armfield’s intemperate blast against “anti-fluoridationists” and the release of another suspect dental survey). But there is evidence that activists there are getting their breadth back and starting the massive uphill battle to derail these anti-health and anti-democratic plans. More about this below. But first some exciting fundraising news.

Yesterday, after a very slow Monday, readers restored our spirits with the best day since our fundraising effort for next year’s campaign was launched last Friday. Yesterday, we raised over $1500 to bring our current total to $3,585. With a matching grant our grand total is now $7,170. If we can continue to get donations at this rate we will certainly reach our mini-goal of $12,000 by Christmas Eve.

A huge thank you to the 49 people who have contributed so far. I am sure there are many more of our over 1700 readers who will want to help make 2008 a breakthrough year in this long difficult battle to end fluoridation worldwide. Please give as generously as you can – or just give us something to let us know you are still rooting for us.

It is easy and quick to do. Your donations are tax deductible (if you are a US citizen), because our parent organization the American Environmental Health Studies Project (AEHSP) has 5013C status.

Alternatively, you may simply write out a check to AEHSP and send it to AEHSP, 82 Judson Street, Canton, NY 13617. If you choose this way of donating please let us know with an email so that we can keep an accurate running total.

Now the fight back in Queensland, Victoria and Malibu, California.

Queensland

In Queensland, citizens are organizing a rally outside parliament as well as continuing to fund raise to support legal intervention. For details contact: Jeanie Ryan, and Merilyn  Haines

The Queensland effort received support yesterday from Dr. Bruce Spittle, who sent a fine letter to Premier Anna Bligh, who announced the government’s intention to introduce this short-sighted policy. See Bruce Spittle’s letter below (see item 1).

In Geelong, Victoria

Geelong. The Geelong Advertiser threw a crumb from its pro-fluoridation news banquet to allow the victims to respond to their largely one-sided news coverage on this issue. David McRae and other organizers took full advantage of this opportunity  (see the article, item 2). David came up with a priceless sentence, when he said after describing the NRC (2006) review as a “bombshell” that, “Dr Carnie should have been jumping up and down saying we should study this more but instead he’s pumping out spin.'’

In Ballarat, Victoria

Speaking of Carnie’s spin, Alwyn Anstice and his wife Anne Marie Enright, leaders of the group, Fluoride Aware Ballarat, have are distributing a leaflet replying to John Carnie’s comments “Carnie Answers your questions” which appeared in the Ballarat Courier on December 18. Their leaflet is entitled, “More Holes Than the Eureka Flag” (see item 3)

In the US, Jason versus ACSH

Jason Krueger, FAN’s indefatigable representative from Minnesota, gave the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) a bit of their own medicine (See his letter item 4). The ACSH yesterday came out with another one of its silly pieces claiming that the health concerns of those opposed to fluoridation was the “#2 unfounded health scare of 2007”. Instead, of carefully reviewing the NRC (2006) report or commenting on the recent Scientific American article (January, 2008), which those genuinely interested in the science would have done, the ACSH chose instead to attack the Environmental Working Group (EWG). They even accuse the latter of lying about the ADA eAlert of November 2006. I guarantee that if you lined up 12 independent scientists and asked them which was more scientific and which was more honest, the EWG or the ACSH, most, if not all, of these 12 scientists would have to say EWG on both counts.  Dr. Peter Montague, Editor, Rachel’s Weekly, and Director, Environmental Health Foundation, describes a the ACSH as “a scheme-tank supported by the chemical industry.”

In the US, Suzanne Somers speaks out against the fluoridation.

Like Jeannine and Martin Sheen, Suzanne Somers is a resident of Malibu, one of the communities being fluoridated under the MWB’s draconian plan to fluoridate another 18 million people in Southern California. In a letter to the Malibu Surfside News she expresses her outrage (see item 5).
 
You, to, can be part of that outrage and part of the fight back by supporting our 2008 campaign to end fluoridation worldwide, by sending a donation to us today. You can do this by going to our home page.

Paul Connett
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1) Dr. Bruce Spittle’s letter to Premier Anna Bligh

Complaint about the intention to fluoridate more of Queensland

Dear Premier Bligh

May I lodge a complaint please about the intention to further fluoridate Queensland. There is evidence that 1-5% of persons receiving fluoridated water develop a chronic fluoride toxicity syndrome which was described by Dr G Waldbott. The 2007 NHMRC report A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of fluoridation did not consider any of the 140 publications of George Waldbott when they judged fluoridation to be safe. Similarly the University of York report (18)  A systematic review of water fluoridation (2000), the 2002 Medical Research Council report Water fluoridation and health, and the 2006 WHO report Fluoride in drinking water did not consider Waldbott’s work. Thus they did not find the evidence of harm because they set inclusion criteria for their reports such that the relevant material was excluded. By not examining this material no evidence of harm was found. The 2007 NHMRC inappropriately dismissed in two sentences (page 19) the 2006 NRC report Fluoride in drinking water by noting the NAS report dealt with the adverse health effects from fluoride at 2-4 mg/L and that fluoridation of Australia’s drinking water occurs in the range of 0.6 to 1.1 mg/L. The dosage consumed in the important factor, rather than the concentration in the water, and a person drinking 3 L of water with 1 ppm will consume as much fluoride, 3 mg, as someone drinking 1.5 L of water with 2 ppm. Heavy manual workers, athletes, persons with diabetes mellitus, and persons with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus may have higher water intakes. The NRC report also considered animal studies with less than 1 ppm of fluoride and pineal gland effects that were clearly relevant to water fluoridation. The 2006 NRC should not have been dismissed so briefly. The 2007 NHMRC report also repeated uncorrected errors in the York report indicating that the evidence in the York report had not been independently examined in depth.

In contrast, the 2006 NRC report reported Waldbott’s observations to be carefully done and relevant. Two references to his work were included in the NRC report.

I have considered Waldbott’s findings in some detail in a book, due back from the printer on about 21 December 2007 or after 14 January if it is not ready before the holiday break, entitled Fluoride poisoning: is fluoride in your drinking water-and from other sources-making you sick?

I will forward a copy when I receive it.

Yours sincerely
 
Bruce Spittle, FRANZCP
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2) Geelong Advertiser’s article: “Anger at GP’s fluoride backing.”

The Geelong Advertiser
Wednesday 19 December 2007

Anger at GPs’ fluoride backing

By Danny Lannen

ANTI-fluoridation campaigners believe general practitioners have disgraced themselves by backing State Government fluoridation plans for Geelong.

They believe the GP Association of Geelong has sold out to the Government by flagging its support and is ignoring latest scientific findings on the impact of fluoride on bones, kidneys and thyroid glands.

Opponents also said the Government was mocking the people of Geelong with its lack of consultation and have promised residents will have their chances to protest.

The GP Association of Geelong has joined a dozen Geelong health and welfare organisations backing fluoridation.

Others include Barwon Health, Bethany Community Support, Committee for Geelong, Glastonbury Child and Family Services and the Corio-Norlane Renewal group.

Victoria’s chief health officer Dr John Carnie said the health sector support had preceded the distribution of fluoride information booklets.

Water Quality Australia secretary David McRae, of Geelong, said no studies had measured the effects on Australians after 40 years of fluoridation but a 2006 USA National Research Council study had indicated there was no safety margin between the amount of fluoride supposed to protect teeth and the amount that might damage organs.

‘’That US study was a bombshell,'’ Mr McRae said. “Dr Carnie should have been jumping up and down saying we should study this more but instead he’s pumping out spin.'’

The Government was breaking its election promise that it would introduce fluoridation only if the community demonstrated support, he said.

‘’Where is that support?'’ Mr McRae said. “And now Dr Carnie is saying there will be no referendum.'’

Barwon Association for Freedom from Fluoridation acting treasurer Anna Michalik said community protests would start early in 2008.

‘’There will be rolling protests and we will take it to government in Melbourne,'’ Mrs Michalik said.

Association acting secretary Mary Sestak, of Norlane, was incensed Geelong GPs and Corio-Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal spokesman Dr Mark Kennedy had said fluoridation would benefit lower socio-economic areas.

‘’How dare they assume that in Norlane and Corio we’re not up to par,'’ Mrs Sestak said.
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3) Fluoride Aware Ballarat’s Response to “Carnie Answers Your Questions.”

More Holes Than the Eureka Flag

John Carnie’s ‘facts’ have more holes than the original Eureka flag. The latter holes are obvious, but Carnie’s holes are cleverly disguised by highly paid spin doctors, able to manipulate the public mind through fear and misinformation. Where are the published A-Grade peer reviewed studies which back your claims Dr Carnie?
 
Dr CARNIE evaded the question on Europe refusing to fluoridate water.
RESPONSE: Most European countries have never used it, as it violates human rights and medical ethics. Trials of fluoridation in the Netherlands, Finland and Switzerland were discontinued. The top ten countries in the world for dental health are these non-fluoridated countries of Europe.

Dr CARNIE SAYS that health ministers and the Dental Association endorse fluoridation.
RESPONSE: Many experts disagree. The 2000 Nobel Prize winner for medicine, Dr Arvid Carlsson says it is against all principles of modern medicine and poses risks to infants’ delicate nervous systems. On his advice, the Swedish government never introduced water fluoridation.
Dr Andrew Harms, past president of the South Australian Branch of the ADA (No longer a member of the ADA but still a practising dentist) was responsible for supporting water fluoridation into the regional areas of South Australia. He was a strong proponent who once accepted the propaganda. He began to research more deeply, realising that he, a highly intelligent man, had also been misled. Harms now devotes his life to revoking the practice of water fluoridation.
Last month twenty-one of Warrnambool’s leading doctors wrote to Dr Carnie demanding that he cease the introduction of water fluoridation until studies of side-effects are conducted.
Look at the homepage of www.FluorideAction.org for the many eminent experts who have signed an international petition against fluoridation.
 
Dr CARNIE SAYS the fluoride cancer link has been “knocked on the head” by our NHMRC.
RESPONSE: Carnie’s arrogance is breathtaking. An A-Grade peer reviewed Harvard University study by Dr Elise Bassin (2006) showed a greatly increased risk of the bone cancer Osteosarcoma for boys who consumed fluoridated water in childhood.  
The NHMRC review (2007) merely threw some doubt on it by quoting a Letter to the Editor by Dr Chester-Douglass in the same cancer journal. Letters expressing an opinion do not carry the weight of a properly conducted scientific study. If Dr Carnie does not understand this he should not be in office.
 
Dr CARNIE SAYS there is no scientific evidence on fluoride allergy (or toxic sensitivity).
RESPONSE: There have been numerous case histories and reviews published from the 1960s to the present time. Read them Dr Carnie! In 1991 the NHMRC stated that the frequent reports of people becoming sick from fluoridated water should be systematically studied. This is still being neglected. Carnie knows this and should be demanding that the NHMRC do the study before he forces fluoride upon more towns.
The level of fluoride in mother’s milk is 0.004ppm. Fluoridated tap water is about 1ppm, so using tap water in infant formula will give a baby over 200 times more fluoride than nature intended. What does nature know that Dr Carnie doesn’t?
 
Dr CARNIE SAYS swallowing fluoride is like wearing seatbelts or helmets.
RESPONSE: Excuse me! The comparison is nonsensical. The wearing of seatbelts and helmets has no negative health side effects!  You are right about one thing Carnie; water fluoridation is more like smoking, whose side effects were kept quiet for so long, by large companies. Water fluoridation has many negative side effects but Carnie claims there is no properly documented evidence of these. If one does not look for evidence, one can argue not to have seen any evidence of harm. Very clever! Not one single A-Grade peer reviewed test on the long term effects of fluoride has ever been undertaken in Australia.
 
Dr CARNIE SAYS It’s a public health initiative, not a mass medication issue.
 
RESPONSE: Any chemical substance when used to prevent or cure disease (such as dental caries) is a medicine by any dictionary definition. Water fluoridation is forced mass medication with an uncontrolled dose, yet our Australian constitution states that no medical procedure shall be conscripted (section 51 xxiiiA). It is ethically wrong to enforce a non-essential medication, especially on an unwilling population, when there are concerns on safety and efficacy. Who controls the amount of water consumed daily by an individual? Who monitors how much additional fluoride an individual already receives from cooking with water, foods, beverages, dental products?
 
Dr CARNIE CLAIMS the fluoride used in water fluoridation is natural.
RESPONSE: Why does he hide the fact that the fluoride used in Victoria is the industrial waste product Fluorosilicic acid, a registered Schedule 7 poison? Why does he omit that it is unpurified, containing toxic contaminants like Arsenic?
Sure, certain water supplies contain a small amount of  Calcium Fluoride, and studies show that even this causes fluorosis.
 
Do not accept what John Carnie tells you. Without doing your own research, please do not even accept this information. This especially applies to Carnie’s reassurance about cancer.    
Community members have the ability to research this evidence. When you do so, you will find that there are serious concerns, about a connection between water fluoridation and Osteosarcoma in young men (Bassin et al 2006). More research is necessary. One source of high quality, scientific information is www.FluorideAction.net the website of Fluoride Action Network.
One can only hope the Eureka Spirit of freedom is still alive and well in Ballarat and regional Victoria and that the common person is willing to fight for their democratic rights. The citizens of Ballarat have the democratic right to vote on whether or not fluoride is added to our water.
 
On behalf of www.fluorideawareballarat.com
 
Alwyn Anstis & Anne Marie Enright

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4) Jason Armfield’s response to ACSH ( http://www.acsh.org/publications/pubID.1651/pub_detail.asp )

What a manipulative and utterly bogus claim!  Water fluoridation is safe?  I am supposed to believe your word against the Environmental Working Group?

I suppose we declared war in Iraq because of 911 based on your fact finding too.

Frankly, I’m pissed off that my tax money eventually funds these ignorant studies and your salaries.

Between you and Quackwatch, I can’t determine which organization is a bigger fraud.

Jason Krueger
Sauk Rapids, MN
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5) Suzanne Somers speaks out against fluoridation of Malibu, California

Malibu Surfside News

Letter, December 13

Fluoride is deadly serious. In an environmental assault unlike anything the human species has ever before encountered, why, why would we go out of our way to add more chemicals to our drinking and bathing water!  The idea is ludicrous.

Don’t let this happen.  Speak out.  It’s in the works right now.  It’s about to happen.  In order to protect ourselves, we are all going to have to install reverse osmosis filters in our entire water systems in our houses. Because of the fluoride and the enormous toxicity, you must change your filters every three months.  Perhaps the city would like to reimburse us for this expense that requires us to take this drastic measure.    

Maybe with our collective voices we can reverse this terrible assault on our health. Oppose fluoridation for the sake of your health and your family’s. New medicine is working diligently to find ways to avoid chemicals in our bodies and our environment. These new, cutting-edge doctors are aware that the sickness all around us is connected to the chemicals in our food, water, homes and environment. Why would we go out of our way to add more chemicals to our water?

What are our city officials thinking? It is clear that fluoridation is not in our best interest, but definitely in the best interest of those who promote this crazy idea.

Think about it: “Let’s add chemicals to our water supply to prevent cavities.” Even if that were true (which it is not), has anyone considered the additional harm to the body and brain that comes from ingesting dangerous manufactured chemicals all day, every day?

Check out the meaning of excito-toxins on Google.  Fluoride is an excito toxin.  Self poisoning is inescapable. Our bodies are trans-dermal; so in the shower, in our pools, our baths, our vegetable gardens, fluoride will be seeping into our blood streams.  And forget soaking in a bath.  At 20 minutes one pint of bath water is now inside your body, chemicals and all.

We in Malibu live a life of health, fresh air, clean ocean water, exercise and organic foods.  We are grateful that we have found this beautiful spot on earth that we protect and cherish. Fluoride is being added to our water supply “in the best interests of the population of Malibu.”  Why?  Follow the money trail.

Suzanne Somers