Scientists Warn of Link Between, Fluoride , and Negative Health Outcomes <br />When Pregnant .<br />'Newsweek' reports that scientists have urged expectant mothers <br />not to drink unfiltered tap water, exposing a link between <br />exposure to fluoride and disruptions in fetal brain development. .<br />'Newsweek' reports that scientists have urged expectant mothers <br />not to drink unfiltered tap water, exposing a link between <br />exposure to fluoride and disruptions in fetal brain development. .<br />In 1962, the United States Public Health Service <br />(USPHS) recommended that public water contain <br />fluoride in an effort to prevent tooth decay. .<br />As a result, 3 in 4 Americans <br />receive water that has been <br />fortified with fluoride. .<br />While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and <br />Prevention (CDC) and the USPHS say fluoride <br />consumption at levels set by the government are safe.<br />opponents to the fluoridation of the water supply argue that <br />potential health impacts of even low level fluoride exposure <br />have been identified, particularly for developing fetuses. .<br />opponents to the fluoridation of the water supply argue that <br />potential health impacts of even low level fluoride exposure <br />have been identified, particularly for developing fetuses. .<br />According to a new study, maternal fluoride exposure <br />was associated with a near-doubling increase in <br />the risk of the child developing neurobehavioral problems.<br />The team's findings were published <br />in the journal 'JAMA Network Open.'.<br />These neurobehavioral problems <br />include emotional reactivity, headaches, <br />anxiety and symptoms linked to autism.<br />Our results showed that higher <br />fluoride levels in mother's urine were <br />associated with significantly increased neurodevelopmental problems in their <br />three-year-old children, especially <br />for internalizing problems <br />like depression and anxiety, Tracy Bastain, Associate professor of clinical population and public <br />health science and senior author of the study, via Newsweek.<br />Our results showed that higher <br />fluoride levels in mother's urine were <br />associated with significantly increased neurodevelopmental problems in their <br />three-year-old children, especially <br />for internalizing problems <br />like depression and anxiety, Tracy Bastain, Associate professor of clinical population and public <br />health science and senior author of the study, via Newsweek.<br />These results are very concerning <br />from a public health perspective, <br />given that the majority of U.S. <br />communities have fluoridated water, Tracy Bastain, Associate professor of clinical population and public <br />health science and senior author of the study, via Newsweek.<br />'Newsweek' reports that the authors of the study say more <br />research is "urgently needed" in order to better understand <br />the implications of these findings on public health.
