US Says Too Much Fluoride

The recent Skeptics' Guide To The Universe podcast started by making fun of "cranks" who complain about water fluoridation requirements in public water supplies. The guy says that the current doses are "perfectly safe".

I am sympathetic to these skeptics debunking charlatans, except that they do not seem be very skeptical of authorities who force dubious policies on everyone. In fact, there is solid evidence against fluoridation policies, such as this AP story:

In a remarkable turnabout, federal health officials say many Americans are now getting too much fluoride because of its presence not just in drinking water but in toothpaste, mouthwash and other products, and it's causing splotches on children's teeth and perhaps more serious problems.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans Friday to lower the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water for the first time in nearly 50 years, based on a fresh review of the science. ...

The government first began urging municipal water systems to add fluoride in the early 1950s. ...

One reason behind the change: About 2 out of 5 adolescents have tooth streaking or spottiness because of too much fluoride, a government study found recently.

California rejected fluoridation in the 1950s, and has only been adding it in the last few years. My county does not have it, as it is staunchly opposed by the left-wingers. It has to be forced on us. It used to be opposed by right-wingers. There are a lot of good reasons to be skeptical about the official fluoride policies. The Jan. 2008 Scientific American had an article on how adding fluoride to water has an assortment of health risks, and little benefit to those who brush their teeth.