LETTER: Fluoride study is highest quality to date

Letter writer Alan T. Brown ("WHO: Urinalysis not suitable for predicting fluoride intake," Oct. 14) made some intriguing comments about the recent University of Toronto study that was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Studies, a branch of the United States National Institutes of Health. Brown referred to this study as being modest. 

There is nothing "modest" about this study. It is by far the highest quality study to date, conducted by world authorities in epidemiological (epidemiology is the study and analysis of the patterns, causes and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations) studies of developmental neurotoxicity (Dr. Howard Hu) and conducted with utmost attention to ensure its validity at a cost of $3 million.

After reviewing 27 studies (with admitted flaws) dealing with fluoride and IQ, a team of Harvard scientists concluded that fluoride's effect on the young brain should now be a high research priority.

This is an appeal to the Meadville Area Water Authority. Until this matter is settled, and it is not settled, err on the side of caution. All we need to do to ensure that fluoride will not affect the developing brains of our children is for one of the MAWA board members to reverse their decision.

Brown quoted the World Health Organization as saying "urinary fluoride excretion is not suitable for predicting fluoride intake for individuals." This is true but what WHO means about urine fluoride not being a good way of estimating fluoride intake in individuals is that they don't think that it should be used by a doctor to evaluate a specific patient. That is far different than using urine fluoride in an epidemiological study.

Many proponents of water fluoridation will not address any discussion dealing with water that has been fluoridated to optimal levels having any ill effects on the developing brain. If it is such a far-fetched notion, then why would the NIH spend $3 million on this study? Keep in mind there is no such thing as a perfect study.

CHRIS KNAPP

Meadville