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Fluoridation and The Liquid of Life
By Hwaa Irfan 01/06/2001
In modern society, we often rely on science to provide us with all the answers, even though it cannot always do it. But Muslims can seek and receive those answers from Allah (swt) through observing and listening to His Will within the laws of nature. "Do not those who disbelieve see that the heavens and the earth are open were closed-up, but We have opened them; and We have made of water everything living, will they not then believe" (Surat Al Anbiya, HQ, 21:30)?
The Qur'an gives us a great deal of information about the purity of water. We know that water is a fundamental natural resource that gives humanity its life force. Unfortunately, the continued tampering with the bounties of Allah (swt) results in serious repercussions. Industrial innovations have taken their toll on our resources and have specifically had strong ramifications on our water resources. For example, adding fluoride to our water is one way in which industry has served to alter not only the resource itself, but man's health as well.
Fluorine (Fa) is poisonous and highly reactive. It was discovered by Swedish chemist Karl Scheele in 1771 and isolated by French chemist Henri Moissan in 1886. Fluoride has been added
to the public water supply for years, despite continued controversy and growing evidence outlining possible problems. In parts of India, the natural level of fluoride in water is 10 parts per million and has led to fluorosis or chronic fluoride poisoning, mottled teeth and deformed bones (Hutchinson p.243).
Scientists from the University of Illinois have likewise found significant abnormalities in the blood and the muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems of inhabitants of Cornwall Island, where
a high level of fluorine was present. Ailments that were brought on by exposure to the element included: anemia, rashes irritability, diabetes, high blood pressure and thyroid disease (Smith p.6).
In 1959, the Reynolds Metals Company built an aluminum smelter on the bank of the St. Lawrence River in New York State. Three years later, the cattle on Cornwall Island became lame and developed swellings on their legs. Eventually they became so crippled that they would have to lie down to pasture and began crawling from grazing site to grazing site. As they aged, drinking cold water and chewing became more and more painful. During their first pregnancies, the cow's udders remained very small and they could not produce sufficient milk for the nursing calves. Most cows died during later deliveries and the calf mortality soared.
The veterinarian, sent by Reynolds Metals to investigate the matter, attributed the failing health of the cows to external and internal parasites. Disturbed by this diagnosis, the Mohawk Indian elders approached Professor Lennart Krook, an eminent veterinary scientist at Cornell University, and asked him to further investigate. After extensive tests, Professor Krook announced that, "Owing to extensive and serious chronic fluoride poisoning, no cattle born on Cornwall Island (which is downwind from Reynolds Metals) will live for more than 5 years (Smith p.4-5)."
A team led by Professor Krook and Dr. George Maylin, of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, concluded that, "Of all pollutants that effect farm animals, fluorine has caused the most severe and widespread damage. The objective of the present study is to record yet another man-made fluorine pollution disaster and to interpret the pathogenesis of the osseous change in view of recent advances in the understanding of bone metabolism" (Smith p.5).
Today, the agents used to fluoridate U.S public water supplies have shifted from sodium fluoride (NaF) to silicofluorides (SiF). Fluorine derived from SiF is excreted through the kidneys, whereas fluoride residues from NaF are more likely to be excreted in feces. SiF treated water can increase the transport of heavy metals within stomach-blood and blood-brain barriers, increasing the rate of toxic uptake and behavioral dysfunction. Communities using SiF treated water have discovered higher levels of lead in children's blood than those in children living in areas with non-fluoridated or NaF treated water. Likewise, the former group of children exhibited higher rates of anti-social behavior. This was found to be the case in Massachusetts, Georgia, Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois, Alabama and North Carolina (Masters, p.4-5).
In Dr. A. K. Susheela's affidavit in the case of the "Safe Water Association Inc. versus the City of Pond Du Lac" in United States District Court, she states that fluoride:
· Destroys bones, teeth, blood vessels, and stomach lining;
· Causes infertility;
· Causes poisoning with symptoms of headache or nausea;
· Adversely effects membrane bound enzymes and the transfer of Calcium and
Magnesium ions;
· Inhibits protein & DNA synthesis;
· Impairs cortisol production and;
· Alters bone matrix constitution (Susheela p.1-6).
Experiments have shown that water containing 1 - 4 parts per million of sodium fluoride can have adverse effects on the Central Nervous System; and at 0.6 parts can disturb antibody production in the immune system (Smith, p.16). Industries with significant fluoride pollution problems include coal - burning power stations; aluminum, zinc, copper and steel mills; fertilizer works; cement and brick works; plastics manufacturers; glass factories; pottery and tile makers; and chemical factories and nuclear processing plants.
Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is the most common and most dangerous pollutant that exists in these industries, with many HF leaks taking place over the years. An official report of Mobil Gas's refinery in Torrence, California stated, "The consequences may have been so great as to warrant regulations to direct industry to phase out its use or substitute processes with less environmental hazards." According to the Health and Safety Executive, British HF manufacturing plant locations remain hidden for fear of potential terrorist activity (Smith p.8 -10).
Unfortunately, possible solutions remain problematic because those industries with major fluoride pollution problems are some of the most powerful interest groups in society (Smith, p.13). Since the emissions are difficult to control, they would incur high costs on the parts of the unwilling producers (Smith, p.14). When money talks, common good goes out the window!
Naturally, fluoride occurs in the body, and in foods such as fish and vegetables. But excessive intake, especially that of chemically engineered fluorine, is way beyond our body's limits.
"O you who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided you with, and give thanks to Allah if Him it is that you serve (Surat Al Baqqarah, HQ, 2:172)
Sources:
Holy Qur'an.
Hutchinson, B. Dictionary of Science. Britain: Helicon Pub. Ltd. 1994.
Masters, Roger D. "Poisoning The Well." Dept. of Government: Dartmouth College Foundation for Neuroscience and Society. MSNBC. 5/22/01.
Smith, Geoffrey, E. "Excerpts: The Secret War and The Fluoride Conspiracy." United States District Court. Medford, Oregon. Barrett - v - Sherell. MSNBC. 5/23/01.
Susheela, A. K. "Affidavit of A. K. Susheela, Ph.D. Safe Water Association, Inc. vs. City of Fond Du Lac." United States District Court. Medford, Oregon. Barrett - v - Sherrell.
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