(The Guardian) Fluoride in drinking water is safe, research shows
Having fluoride in your town’s drinking water is safe and does not affect a child’s development, research out of Queensland has shown and AAP reports.
Emotional and behavioural development, memory and self control were the same in children who drank fluoridated water and those who did not, a University of Queensland study found.
The longitudinal study released on Monday assessed 2,682 children between the ages of five and 10 from Australia’s National Child Oral Health study, following up with them seven to eight years later. Some children lived in postcodes with fluoridated water and some did not. Participants were measured for their emotional and behavioural development, and their executive functioning development.
The study found drinking tap water with fluoride does not hinder a child’s emotional or behavioural development, with no difference detected between children who lived in the different postcodes. It also found there was no difference in the development of their higher functions.
The findings, an Australian first, mean drinking fluoridated water is safe, and supports the continuation and expansion of the country’s fluoridation program. About 90% of the country’s water has fluoride added to it, although only 71% of Queensland councils use fluoride.
Having fluoride in your town’s drinking water is safe and does not affect a child’s development, research out of Queensland has shown and AAP reports.
Emotional and behavioural development, memory and self control were the same in children who drank fluoridated water and those who did not, a University of Queensland study found.
The longitudinal study released on Monday assessed 2,682 children between the ages of five and 10 from Australia’s National Child Oral Health study, following up with them seven to eight years later. Some children lived in postcodes with fluoridated water and some did not. Participants were measured for their emotional and behavioural development, and their executive functioning development.
The study found drinking tap water with fluoride does not hinder a child’s emotional or behavioural development, with no difference detected between children who lived in the different postcodes. It also found there was no difference in the development of their higher functions.
The findings, an Australian first, mean drinking fluoridated water is safe, and supports the continuation and expansion of the country’s fluoridation program. About 90% of the country’s water has fluoride added to it, although only 71% of Queensland councils use fluoride.
