Experts challenge study suggesting children exposed to higher levels of fluoride in utero may have lower IQ scores

This translation has been automatically generated and has not been verified for accuracy.A new Canadian study suggests children exposed to higher levels of fluoride in utero may have slightly lower intelligence scores than those not exposed to fluoride, controversial findings that are already being challenged by a number of experts.

The researchers measured fluoride exposure in two ways. They looked at fluoride levels in urine samples taken from the women during pregnancy. In a second method, they used a questionnaire the women had answered during pregnancy and combined that with other calculations to estimate how much fluoride they may have been exposed to through drinking water during pregnancy. The estimate did not take into consideration fluoride exposure from toothpaste or food.

Small amounts of fluoride have been added to drinking water in Canada since the 1940s as a way to prevent tooth decay. Many health agencies, including the World Health Organization, recommend adding fluoride to water to help improve oral health. About 39 per cent of Canadians live in areas where fluoride is added to drinking water. But adding fluoride to water has provoked controversy for decades, with some anti-fluoride advocates pointing to flawed research suggesting it poses a health risk.

“I didn’t think we were going to find an effect because we were told it’s safe and effective and that’s the dogma that we hear,” she said. “I can’t say that we can just dismiss this [study] out of hand,” Dr. Schwarz said. “It’s hard to imagine that in such low concentrations that it would have such an effect, but who knows until you really study it."

Ray Copes, chief of environmental and occupational health at Public Health Ontario, said he found it puzzling that researchers found a different effect on IQ based on which measure of fluoride exposure they used. He said that the urine results are likely the most scientifically accurate way to assess fluoride exposure. There is no clear reason why boys’ IQ scores would be affected, but not the girls scores, Dr. Copes said.“The difference they find is pretty small,” Dr. Copes said.

Scientists disagreeing with other scientists is the very basis of science

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