4. Can fluorides affect health?
- 4.1 Does fluoride affect bones in test animals?
- 4.2 Does fluoride cause cancer in test animals?
- 4.3 Does fluoride cause genetic mutations in cells or test animals?
- 4.4 Does fluoride affect reproduction or development in test animals?
4.1 Does fluoride affect bones in test animals?
Various effects on bones were observed in a series of studies carried out on rats and mice fed with significant amounts of fluoride for varying time periods. Effects included inhibition of bone formation and hardening, delayed fracture healing, and reductions in bone volume and collagen synthesis. More...
4.2 Does fluoride cause cancer in test animals?
A series of studies carried out on various types of rats and mice fed with significant amounts of fluoride for long periods showed no statistically significant increase in the incidence of any tumour. In one study there was a significant trend for bone tumours in male rats only. However, the incidence of these tumours was not greater than what had been observed in previous studies on rats that had not been exposed to fluoride (historical controls). More...
4.3 Does fluoride cause genetic mutations in cells or test animals?
In bacteria, fluoride generally does not cause mutations, i.e. permanent change to DNA. Although fluoride has been shown to cause damage to DNA in a variety of cell types in in vitro tests, this appears to be due to an effect on the synthesis of proteins involved in forming or repairing DNA and not to a direct interaction with DNA. In most studies on test animals fed with fluoride, it had no effect on chromosomes, but chromosomal changes or effects on sperm were reported when fluoride was injected into the abdominal cavity. More...
4.4 Does fluoride affect reproduction or development in test animals?
In recent studies, animals exposed to fluoride via drinking water showed neither reproductive nor developmental effects. However, changes in reproductive organs and reproductive function have been reported in test animals administered significant doses of fluoride orally or via injections for varying periods of time. More...