New York - March 12, 2007 -- Trace amounts of arsenic are found in
fluoride chemicals added to drinking water supplies, reports the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) website. (1)

Fluoridation is a controversial attempt to reduce tooth decay in tap-
water consumers.

Fluoridation chemicals - sodium fluoride, sodium fluorosilicate, and
fluorosilicic acid (FSA) - are all derived from the manufacture of
phosphate fertilizer, reports the CDC.  Trace amounts of unwanted
contaminants, such as antimony, barium, beryllium, arsenic and others,
are allowed to remain in fluoridation chemicals before flowing through
America's faucets (2)

The CDC reports, tests by National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)
revealed arsenic was present in sample batches of FSA. When trace
amounts were present, the treated water had an average of 0.43 parts
per billion (ppb) of arsenic, with a high of 1.66 ppb attributable to
the fluoride additive. (2)

The NSF sets the allowable level of arsenic in fluoridation chemicals
at 2.5 ppb. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) of arsenic in treated
water is 10 ppb, set by the Environmental Protection Agency. But the
maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) of arsenic in drinking water is
zero (5) and is based on health risks; however, the actual level
permitted (MCL) is above 0, to account for difficulty in removing it
or in measuring it. (6)

 "No water company should purposely be adding arsenic to water
supplies -even when it's attached to a chemical perceived to be
beneficial," says Beeber.

Trace levels of arsenic in drinking water increase a person's risk of
developing cancer, according to a report from the prestigious US
National Academy of Sciences. "People drinking water containing just
one part per billion of arsenic have an increased risk of developing
bladder or lung cancer of one in 1,000," reports New Scientist
magazine. (3)

In an analysis of 25 states, the National Resources  Defense Council
found  about 8,000 U.S. water systems, serving 57,000,000 people,
contained arsenic levels at 1 ppb or higher.(4)

"Fluoridation has proven useless in fighting tooth decay in America's
low-income population as the recent unfortunate 'tooth-decay' death
of  a 12-year-old Maryland boy living in a fluoridated area has
proven," says lawyer Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition
Opposed to Fluoridation. "No child is or ever was fluoride-deficient.
But many are dentist-deficient," says Beeber.

 "Besides, modern science establishes that fluoridation is ineffective
at reducing tooth decay, harmful to health and a waste of taxpayer
money," says Beeber.

"We're glad the CDC finally admits that arsenic can be found in
fluoridation chemicals. But CDC should go further and list all
undesirable chemicals and impurities allowed in the fluoridation
chemicals, and make it publicly known so consumers truly can make an
informed choice," says Beeber.

NSF Fluoridation Fact Sheet: http://www.***.com/

New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.

http://www.***.com/

Fluoridation News Releases
http://www.***.com/

Tooth Decay Crises in Fluoridated Areas
http://www.***.com/

Fluoride Action Network http://www.***.com/

Fluoride Journal http://www.***.com/

References:

(1) U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dep't of Health
and Human Services - Water Fluoridation - Guidelines & Recommendations
- Water Fluoridation Additives (accessed March 11, 2007)
http://www.***.com/

(2) April 24,2000 letter from NSF International to State of Florida,
Department of Public Health   http://www.***.com/

(3) New Scientist, "Trace arsenic in water raises cancer risk," by
Emma Young, September 14, 2001 http://www.***.com/

(4) National Resources Defense Council, "Arsenic and Old Laws."
Chapter 1 - Arsenic has been found at levels of health concern in the
tap water of tens of millions of Americans in 25 states
http://www.***.com/

(5) http://www.***.com/

(6) http://www.***.com/