One doctor has warned that a special chemical that's put into most drinking water is actually 'hazardous waste', and outlines all the reasons why it might not be good for human consumption - especially within children.
The human body is able to cope with and process a number of different things that are technically considered to be dangerous, and some can even provide a benefit to us all if dealt with under the right conditions.
Hydrofluorosilicic acid is one such of these chemicals in theory, as while it sounds incredibly dangerous at face value, it's actually something that you likely consume on a daily basis.
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Most states across America have it so that hydrofluorosilicic acid is diluted into your drinking water, and you'll more than likely know it under the shortened name of 'fluoride', as it's also found in toothpaste.
Its purpose is to strengthen the health of your gums and teeth, and has been known to lower the rate of cavities. This was shown especially after it was first implemented into drinking water in Grand Rapids, Michigan around the 1940s, as dental health noticeably improved.
This then prompted the widespread implementation of fluoride into drinking water nationwide, yet dental health expert Dr. Staci Whitman has warned that the dangers of fluoride in drinking water could far outweigh its benefits on Andrew Huberman's podcast.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Dr. Staci has claimed that fluoride consumption is allegedly linked to the lowering of IQ rates, especially in children:
"Mothers who had higher concentrations of urinary fluoride, the children tested lower on their IQ test up to five to seven points, and that's on par with [the effects of] lead."
While some might argue that the benefits of water fluoridation still justify it's continued use across America, Dr. Staci proposes a contrasting viewpoint, outlining instead that it's not doing anywhere near as much as it was originally understood to:
"Looking at all of the data from water fluoridation, water fluoridation isn't reducing decay like we thought it was. It's only reducing decay by about quarter of a cavity per person. 97% of the world does not fluoridate their water."
Although fluoride remains largely safe when it's diluted through the water, she also explains how hydrofluorosilicic acid in its original form can look quite scary. It arrives to water plants in 'bags with skulls and crossbones on', and workers have to handle it in 'hazmat suits'.
Furthermore, there are also concerns that the level of diluted fluoride in the water in certain parts of America is far too high. The safe and government advised level is around 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water (mg/L), but some areas are reporting concentrations as high as 2.2 mg/L, which is extremely worrying.
The push against water fluoridation has led some US states to abandon the practice, including Florida and Utah - the latter of which was the first. "What a time to be alive," Dr. Staci posted in reference to Utah's banning of fluoride in water, adding that she "would love [for] this to spread to other states soon."
General advice is that fluoride is safe and beneficial in the right dosages.