A research report from Tulane University indicates that elevated levels of fluoride in potable water could negatively affect the cognitive functions of children, underlining the necessity for additional scrutiny concerning its possible neurotoxic properties.
The investigation, involving 74 children from rural communities in Ethiopia with varied naturally occurring fluoride concentrations in their drinking water, revealed that children who were subjected to higher levels of fluoride exhibited poorer performance in cognitive assessments.
A new pilot investigation by Tulane University suggests that persistent ingestion of water containing fluoride concentrations significantly beyond accepted drinking water norms may be correlated with cognitive detriments in children.
This study was published in the scientific journal Neurotoxicology and Teratology and was carried out in the rural regions of Ethiopia. Here, agricultural societies rely on wells that have fluoride levels ranging from 0.4 to 15.5 mg/L. For context, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises that fluoride levels in drinking water should not exceed 1.5 mg/L, while the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates a maximum permissible level of 4.0 mg/L for public water systems.
Table of Contents
Research Design
The researchers enlisted 74 school-age children to participate in the study. Their cognitive abilities were assessed through tasks such as drawing recognizable objects like a donkey or a house, with their scores reflecting the completeness of the details. Additionally, a standardized computerized memory examination that is independent of language and culture was utilized to measure cognitive capabilities.
The findings of the research indicated a correlation between heightened fluoride exposure in drinking water and increased errors in both drawing and memory examinations. Tewodros Godebo, the study’s lead author and assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, stated that while the “cause-and-effect relationship between fluoride exposure and neurotoxicity is yet to be conclusively established,” he anticipates that these initial results will stimulate more comprehensive studies on the possible cognitive repercussions of fluoride exposure.
In Ethiopia’s rural areas, agricultural communities access wells that have diverse natural fluoride concentrations, ranging between 0.4 to 15.5 mg/L. The World Health Organization strongly recommends maintaining fluoride levels in drinking water below 1.5 mg/L.
Implications and Prior Research
Godebo mentioned, “Additional epidemiological research is essential to confirm these results; however, they contribute to the growing apprehension regarding the potential neurotoxic impacts of fluoride, particularly during the formative years of brain development.” He added that the tests demonstrated a conspicuous link between elevated fluoride levels and cognitive dysfunction.
Although fluoride is crucial for the prevention of dental decay, prior epidemiological investigations from rural areas in China and India have connected excessive fluoride consumption to reduced IQ levels.
Past animal studies have also revealed that fluoride can penetrate the placental and blood-brain barriers. In locations where alternative water sources are unavailable, chronic exposure to elevated levels of fluoride could commence as early as conception.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a fluoride concentration of 0.7 milligrams per liter in community water supplies, considering it the optimum level to both prevent tooth decay in children and adults and minimize the risk of dental fluorosis.
Global Consequences and Ongoing Investigations
It is estimated that over 200 million individuals globally are exposed to high levels of fluoride in their drinking water. The Ethiopian Rift Valley, the site of this study, serves as a suitable location for research into potential impacts due to the consistent exposure to stable fluoride levels in the population, and the similar lifestyle habits among neighboring communities, thereby minimizing potential confounding variables.
Godebo aspires to confirm these findings with a larger group of children in Ethiopia and also to study cognitive outcomes in Ethiopian communities with low fluoride levels. He stated, “We possess an unparalleled opportunity to compare low and high fluoride communities within the same environment, allowing us to ascertain if fluoride acts as a neurotoxicant even at lower concentrations. Such research is crucial for both the public and governmental bodies to evaluate the safety and associated risks of fluoride levels in public water supplies.”
Citation
The study, titled “Association between fluoride exposure in drinking water and cognitive deficits in children: A pilot study,” was authored by Tewodros Rango Godebo, Marc Jeuland, Redda Tekle-Haimanot, Biniyam Alemayehu, Arti Shankar, Amy Wolfe, and Nati Phan and was published on 9 September 2023 in Neurotoxicology and Teratology.
Contributing Authors
The study was co-authored by Nati Pham and Arti Shankar from Tulane University, Marc Jeuland from Duke University, Amy Wolfe from the University of Kentucky, and Redda Tekle-Haimanot and Biniyam Alemayehu from Addis Ababa University.
Financial Support
The research was financially backed by the NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fluoride and cognitive impairments
What is the main focus of the Tulane University study?
The primary focus of the Tulane University study is to investigate the correlation between elevated levels of fluoride in drinking water and cognitive impairments in children. The study was conducted in rural Ethiopian communities.
Where was the study conducted?
The study was conducted in rural Ethiopia, in farming communities that rely on wells with varying levels of naturally occurring fluoride in their drinking water.
What is the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water according to the World Health Organization?
The World Health Organization recommends that the level of fluoride in drinking water should not exceed 1.5 mg/L.
How many children participated in the study?
A total of 74 school-aged children from rural Ethiopian villages participated in the study.
What methods were used to assess cognitive abilities?
Researchers used tasks that involved drawing familiar objects like a donkey or a house to assess cognitive abilities. In addition, a standardized computerized memory test that is independent of language and culture was used.
What were the primary findings of the study?
The study found that higher exposure to fluoride in drinking water was linked to poorer performance in cognitive tests, specifically drawing and memory tasks. However, it noted that a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between fluoride exposure and cognitive impairments remains to be established.
Are there any previous studies that align with these findings?
Yes, previous epidemiological studies conducted in rural communities in China and India have linked excessive fluoride intake to reduced IQ levels. Animal studies have also shown that fluoride can cross the placental and blood-brain barriers.
What are the global implications of the study?
The study has global implications as it is estimated that over 200 million individuals worldwide are exposed to high levels of fluoride in their drinking water. Further research is essential to assess the safety and associated risks of fluoride levels in public water supplies.
Who funded the study?
The study was financially supported by the NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
What are the next steps for this research?
The lead author, Tewodros Godebo, plans to confirm these findings with a larger group of children in Ethiopia and also intends to study cognitive outcomes in Ethiopian communities with low levels of fluoride in drinking water.
More about Fluoride and cognitive impairments
- Tulane University Study on Fluoride and Cognitive Impairments
- World Health Organization Guidelines on Fluoride in Drinking Water
- United States Environmental Protection Agency Drinking Water Standards
- Neurotoxicology and Teratology Journal
- NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- Previous Epidemiological Studies on Fluoride and IQ
- CDC Guidelines on Community Water Fluoridation
5 comments
It’s good that Tulane is digging into this but whats the next step? So many questions left unanswered.
Important stuff. Specially considering how many people worldwide are exposed to high levels of fluoride. This needs to be addressed, and quick.
so the question here is, what’s the lesser evil? Tooth decay or cognitive issues. Thats a tricky balance for governments to manage.
Wow, this is a game-changer. Kids are already facing enough challenges, now we have to worry bout fluoride too? More research is definitely needed.
This is really eye-opening. Never knew fluoride could have such a negative impact on cognitive abilities. Makes you wonder about the water we’re drinking, huh?