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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Thomas F. Webster, DSc, Dept. Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Talbot Building 2E, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, 617-638-4620, twebster@bu.edu

In March 2006, the National Research Council released a report evaluating the adequacy of the USEPA's drinking water standard for fluoride. The committee concluded that the current Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of 4 mg/L does not protect against adverse health effects. Children exposed at this level are at increased risk of developing severe dental fluorosis. A majority of the NRC Committee also concluded that “lifetime exposure to fluoride at drinking water concentrations of 4 mg/L or higher is likely to increase fracture rates in the population, particularly in some demographic subgroups that are prone to accumulate fluoride into their bones (e.g., people with renal disease).” The committee did not evaluate the risks of fracture at the concentrations associated with water fluoridation, 0.7 to 1.2 mg/L. This paper will review the basis of the NRC's conclusions regarding bone.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the basis of the NRC's conclusions on the effects of fluoride on bone.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No