03/10/2023
Ireland is renowned for its untainted natural riches and picturesque landscapes. But a closer examination of the country's drinking water, however, finds an alarming quantity of fluoride, a substance associated to myriad health problems. Ireland stands out because it fluoridates its water at one of the highest rates, a practise that is either prohibited or not practised in many European nations. Fluoride's negative effects on the brain and nervous system have been revealed by recent research. High fluoride levels have been linked in studies to cognitive deficits. According to a study in the "Neurotoxicology and Teratology" journal, children who have higher fluoride
levels had lower cognitive function scores.
Deficits in neurobehavioral functioning are another grave worry. ADHD and other behavioural disorders are more prevalent in children in high-fluoride settings. According to a Harvard study, fluoride has a negative impact on cognitive development and behavioural traits by lowering IQ levels.
The Irish government continues to add fluoride to the tap water despite mounting evidence of its potential danger. This practise has come under fire, and given that our drinking water has some of the highest fluoride levels in the world, concerns about its safety and moral implications must be raised.
Globally, countries such as China, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Norway, and Sweden have either banned or refrained from fluoridating their water. There are numerous reasons for this, including health problems, ethical concerns, and environmental consequences. For example, fluoride was categorised as a dangerous substance in China, resulting in its prohibition. Sweden and Germany both avoid water fluoridation due to health and ethical concerns. Why don't we?
With data tied to fluoride and cognitive impairments and neurobehavioral problems, rethinking Ireland's water fluoridation programme is not only required, but also imperative. The nation's health, particularly the cognitive development of its children, is at stake.