Scientists Warn of Link Between Fluoride and Negative Health Outcomes When Pregnant

Scientists Warn of Link Between, Fluoride , and Negative Health Outcomes When Pregnant .

'Newsweek' reports that scientists have urged expectant mothers not to drink unfiltered tap water, exposing a link between exposure to fluoride and disruptions in fetal brain development.

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'Newsweek' reports that scientists have urged expectant mothers not to drink unfiltered tap water, exposing a link between exposure to fluoride and disruptions in fetal brain development.

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In 1962, the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) recommended that public water contain fluoride in an effort to prevent tooth decay.

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As a result, 3 in 4 Americans receive water that has been fortified with fluoride.

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While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the USPHS say fluoride consumption at levels set by the government are safe.

Opponents to the fluoridation of the water supply argue that potential health impacts of even low level fluoride exposure have been identified, particularly for developing fetuses.

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Opponents to the fluoridation of the water supply argue that potential health impacts of even low level fluoride exposure have been identified, particularly for developing fetuses.

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According to a new study, maternal fluoride exposure was associated with a near-doubling increase in the risk of the child developing neurobehavioral problems. The team's findings were published in the journal 'JAMA Network Open.'.

These neurobehavioral problems include emotional reactivity, headaches, anxiety and symptoms linked to autism.

Our results showed that higher fluoride levels in mother's urine were associated with significantly increased neurodevelopmental problems in their three-year-old children, especially for internalizing problems like depression and anxiety, Tracy Bastain, Associate professor of clinical population and public health science and senior author of the study, via Newsweek.

Our results showed that higher fluoride levels in mother's urine were associated with significantly increased neurodevelopmental problems in their three-year-old children, especially for internalizing problems like depression and anxiety, Tracy Bastain, Associate professor of clinical population and public health science and senior author of the study, via Newsweek.

These results are very concerning from a public health perspective, given that the majority of U.S. communities have fluoridated water, Tracy Bastain, Associate professor of clinical population and public health science and senior author of the study, via Newsweek.

'Newsweek' reports that the authors of the study say more research is "urgently needed" in order to better understand the implications of these findings on public health.