The study conducted by Tulane University suggests that long-term consumption of water with high fluoride levels, well above existing drinking water regulations, may be associated with cognitive deficits in children. The research was carried out in rural Ethiopia, where wells with naturally occurring fluoride levels ranging from 0.4 to 15.5 mg/L are commonly used.
The World Health Organization recommends fluoride levels of less than 1.5 mg/L. Researchers assessed 74 school-aged children by rating their ability to draw familiar objects and using a standardized computerized memory test. The study found that higher exposure to fluoride in drinking water was linked to more errors on the drawing and memory tests. While the causal relationship between fluoride exposure and neurotoxicity remains uncertain, these findings emphasize the need for further research into potential cognitive impacts of fluoride exposure.
“Though further epidemiological studies are needed to validate the findings, these results add to the growing concern about the potential neurotoxic effects of fluoride, especially during early brain development and childhood,” Godebo said as per a report in Hindustan Times.
While fluoride is indeed important for preventing tooth decay, excessive fluoride intake has been associated with lower IQ levels in previous epidemiological studies conducted in rural communities in China and India. Past animal research has also shown that fluoride can pass through the placenta and blood-brain barriers. In regions where there are no alternative water sources, excessive fluoride exposure could become a chronic issue, beginning at conception.
More than 200 million people worldwide are estimated to be exposed to high fluoride levels in their drinking water. The Ethiopian Rift Valley, where this study was carried out, provides an ideal research area for investigating potential impacts because individuals raised in the region have consistent exposure to stable, naturally occurring fluoride levels and share similar lifestyles with surrounding communities, reducing the risk of confounding factors.
The lead author of the study, Tewodros Godebo, aims to replicate these results with a larger cohort of children in Ethiopia and further investigate the cognitive impact of fluoride exposure in low-fluoride communities.
“We have a unique opportunity to study low fluoride communities in the same setting as high fluoride communities, so we can determine if fluoride is a neurotoxicant at low levels,” Godebo said.
Also Read: Draft Rules Under Privacy Law Ready: IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
