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Blood-fluoride levels are significantly higher in patients with osteosarcoma (bone cancer), according to research published in Biological Trace Element Research (April 2009). Osteosarcoma patients were compared with those with other types of bone tumours, and patients with musculo-skeletal pain. "This report proves a link between raised fluoride levels in [blood] serum and osteosarcoma," writes the research team leader. 9 May 2009
About six adolescent males die each year in New Zealand from osteosarcoma. If the research is right – and there is none to refute it so far - five are probably due to water fluoridation. Fluoride is added to water supplies in the belief that it reduces tooth decay - by maybe half a filling per person according to the Ministry of Health’s figures. “If it were your son, would you sacrifice his life to save half a filling for people who won’t brush their teeth?” asks Mark Atkin, Fluoride Action Network representative on the recently-launched Fluoridation-free NZ Coalition. Denied by fluoridation promoters, fluoridation has been linked to bone cancer in adolescent males by previous research. The possibility of such a link was recognised by the most in-depth review in history of adverse health effects from fluoride – the US National Research Council Review published in 2006. That was before the landmark research of Dr Elise Bassin, published later in 2006. The fluoridation lobby continues to claim that Bassin’s research has been refuted by further work by her PhD supervisor, Chester Douglass of Harvard Dental School. But Douglass’ alleged research, promised three years ago, has never been seen. Bassin’s research had been suppressed for four years by Douglass. Douglass also works for a fluoride toothpaste manufacturer. A 1992 New Jersey Department of Health study also showed osteosarcoma rates 5 to 7 times higher among young males in fluoridated vs. unfluoridated regions of New Jersey – the same as the Bassin study. Claimants for class action law suits against local Councils and fluoridation-promoting organisations are being sought in the USA and Australia, based on a range of demonstrated adverse effects from fluoridation, including osteosarcoma.
“What will it take for the fluoridation fanatics to let go of their fundamentalist belief in a scientifically discredited practice?” asks Mr Atkin, adding ”how many more of our sons must die before they admit the truth, just as tens of thousands of sailors died from scurvy because these people’s forbears refused to admit, for some 40 years, that scurvy was a vitamin deficiency, as proven by Captain James Cook?” |