Fluoride in Drinking Water Sparks Concerns About Brain Development

A recent study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has raised alarms about the potential effects of fluoride in drinking water on brain development, particularly during pregnancy and early childhood, Earth.com reported. While fluoride has been added to public water systems for decades to prevent cavities, the findings suggest that even low concentrations may negatively impact cognitive abilities.

The study, conducted in a rural area of Bangladesh, tracked 500 mothers and their children, measuring fluoride levels through urine samples. Results indicated that higher fluoride concentrations in pregnant women were linked to lower cognitive scores in their children at ages five and ten. Alarmingly, these effects were noted at levels below the World Health Organization’s safety threshold of 1.5 mg/L.

Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to better understand fluoride’s long-term effects on cognitive development and to reassess safety thresholds for drinking water and dental products, especially for children.