
Study Examines Fluoride Exposure and Children’s IQ
A new meta-analysis found an inverse association between fluoride exposure and children’s IQ, though uncertainties remain, particularly at lower fluoride levels in drinking water. The findings highlight the need for further research to inform public health decisions.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests a possible inverse relationship between fluoride exposure and children’s IQ scores, though uncertainty remains regarding the effects of fluoride levels commonly found in drinking water.
The study analyzed data from 74 studies, covering more than 20,000 children across multiple countries, including China, India, Iran, Mexico, and Canada. The researchers examined fluoride exposure through various measures, including urinary fluoride levels and fluoride concentrations in drinking water.
The meta-analysis found an overall trend linking higher fluoride exposure to lower IQ scores in children, with the strongest associations observed in studies that measured fluoride levels through urine. However, when fluoride exposure was estimated from drinking water alone at concentrations below 1.5 mg/L, the data were more limited, and researchers noted uncertainty in the dose-response relationship.
For every 1 mg/L increase in urinary fluoride, an average decrease of 1.63 IQ points was observed. This finding raises concerns about fluoride exposure from multiple sources, not just drinking water, and underscores the need for further research into potential neurodevelopmental risks.
The study’s authors emphasize that their findings should be used to guide future public health risk-benefit assessments rather than as a definitive conclusion about fluoride safety. Given the widespread use of fluoride in public health programs to prevent dental cavities, the researchers call for more comprehensive evaluations to balance dental health benefits with potential developmental risks. Click here to read the study.