Hidden Sources of Fluoride - Pesticides
©1999
The Fluoride Education Project
Pesticides are a great hidden source of fluorides
Although similar situations exist for Canada and many European countries, this article will mainly deal with the situation as it applies to the United States.
There are several issues:
1) FLUORIDES IN PESTICIDES USED IN THE U.S.
2) FLUORIDES IN PESTICIDE RESIDUE ON IMPORTED PRODUCTS
3) RELIABILITY OF RESIDUE TESTING
4) COCKTAILS
5) EXPOSURE DURING PESTICIDE APPLICATION
In 1927, there were only about 30 pesticide
active ingredients in use at the time. Many were arsenical compounds, and
arsenic was then considered the major pesticide residue of health concern.
Throughout the 1930s, the existing spray residue program was expanded to include
sampling for residues of lead, fluorine and copper (1).
In 1940, Floyd DeEds and Robert Wilson from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture were faced with the dilemma of setting a fluorine spray residue
limit for pesticide applications. Their experiments on rats showed that fluorine
and thyroid had "clearcut" synergistic effects on dental fluorosis. Bewildered,
they did not know if to set a residue level for the normal, the hypothyroid or
the hyperthyroid individual(2).
Many pesticides contain fluorine as an "inactive" ingredient, serving as the
adjuvant ("ferry") delivering the agent to its target. Because they are
considered "inert", listing is not required on labels.
There are also many pesticides containg fluorides as the "active" ingredient.
One such pesticide is CRYOLITE.
1) FLUORIDES IN PESTICIDES USED IN THE U.S.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has previously estimated that
levels of fluoride in/on food from the agricultural use of Cryolite plus
fluoride levels in U.S. drinking water supplies results in a daily dietary
intake of fluoride of approximately 0.095 mg/kg/day. For a person weighing
70kgs, this would mean intake of 6.65mg/day from those two sources alone!(3).
This is not considering other sources such as dental products, or the
incredible high amount of fluoride in tea, which is drunk in almost 80 percent
of all U.S. households. On any given day, nearly 127 million people -- half of
all Americans -- are drinking tea (4). Considering that some teas have been
found to contain more than 7mg of fluoride per cup, it is therefore logical to
assume that current intake is much higher, even surpassing the
fraudulently set DRI of 10mg/day(5).
In the matter of CRYOLITE, the EPA concluded in the May 8, 1996 Federal
Register that fluoride has been identified as the residue of toxicological
concern in cryolite and synthetic cryolite and that these compounds act as free
fluoride. That is, dissociation produces free fluoride ions (3). (No
consideration at all has been given to the fact that fluoride ions will
re-combine with aluminum in the system, forming fluoride-aluminum compounds
which greatly potentiate the effects of fluoride.)
Composition of cryolite is as follows(6):
Fluorine: 54.30 %
Aluminum: 12.85 %
Sodium: 32.85 %
Annual application of cryolite(7):
Grapes: 2,552,815 lbs.
Potatoes: 371,604 lbs.
All Citrus: 62,501 lbs.
Sweet Peppers: 22,755 lbs.
Watermelons: 18,617 lbs.
Tomatoes: 13,670 lbs.
Cantaloupes: 10,294 lbs.
Peaches: 7,291 lbs.
Kiwi: 6,889 lbs.
Melons: 6,380 lbs.
In addition, cryolite is sprayed on all berries, brussel sprouts, cabbage,
etc.
The EPA estimated dietary exposure to cryolite from all crops to be
approximately 0.020 mg/kg/day for the U.S. population, 0.024 mg/kg/day for
children 1-6, 0.015 mg/kg/day for children 7-12, and 0.028 mg/kg/day for nursing
females 13+ years (3).
For the highest exposed subgroup (females 20 years old and over), the Agency
estimated exposure of 0.038 mg/kg/day (61 FR 20781), meaning a person weighing
70kgs in this group would be taking in 2.66 mgs/day of F- from cryolite
alone!(3)
It is also noteworthy that actual residue testing is never performed.
Standard multiple residue testing protocols apparently cannot be applied to
fluoride compounds. Analysis and projections were based on faulty tolerance
levels set by the EPA, with no long term adverse effects like thyroid
dysfunction ever being considered.
The many cryolite applications on grapes is the reason why grape juice has
been found to contain 6.8mg/l of fluoride(8).
No permissable cryolite content for grapes or raisins is yet in place, proposed
level is 55mg/kg (9).
The state of greatest concern in this matter is California, where grapes are
grown. California spends more than $48 million each year for the nation's most
comprehensive program to regulate pesticide use, yet does nothing about this
issue. The rate of congenital hypothyroidism in California is 1/2842, while the
national average centers around 1/4000(10).
Some other fluorinated pesticides in use in the U.S.(7):
TRIFLURALIN:
Soybeans: 11,099,394 lbs
Cotton: 4,736,822 lbs
Alfalfa hay: 991,611 lbs.
Wheat and Grains: 558,665 lbs
Barley: 290,602 lbs.
Tomatoea: 126,694 lbs
NORFLURAZON:
Cotton: 1,573,179 lbs
All Citrus: 417,879 lbs.
Almonds 55,637 lbs
Peanuts 52,403 lbs
Grapes :48,272 lbs
Apples:31,581 lbs.
Blueberries: 16,833 lbs.
Plums: 14,674 lbs.
Peaches: 14,012 lbs
Asparagus 11, 463 lbs.
ACIFLUORFEN:
Soybeans: 1,517,072 lbs.
Peanuts: 148,196 lbs.
Rice: 26, 284 lbs.
Many pesticides, including Trifluralin and Benfluralin are now found in
surface and ground water, which serves a a primary source of drinking water for
many people(11). As ground water supplies the U.S. with 50% of its drinking
water, people in many areas may become exposed to very small amounts of
pesticides or pesticide-degradation products. This potential exposure problem is
a concern, especially in rural areas where well water use is prevalent.
No CODEX, EC or other international tolerances are in effect for cryolite;
thus, potential dietary exposure to fluoride as estimated by the EPA from the
agricultural use of cryolite on crops would not include imported foodstuffs, nor
other fluoride-containing pesticides(3).
2) FLUORIDE IN RESIDUE ON IMPORTED PRODUCTS
Pesticide manufacturers spend many years and millions of dollars testing
their products before presenting them to the EPA for approval and registration.
When these pesticides are not approved, US manufacturers then often export them
to Third World countries where restrictions on pesticide use are much more
relaxed, if existent/enforced at all. As a result, 26 pesticide ingredients
banned from use in the US are exported to the Third World(12).
This creates a so-called "circle of poison" situation in which US banned
pesticides are exported to the Third World and are used on crops whose produce
is then sent back to the US.
The same manufacturers then write petitions in their own countries as to the
permission of maximum residue levels (MRL) for those pesticides found in those
now "imported" foods.
One such pesticide is TOLYLFLUANID, used in many countries. It
is not registered for use in the US or the UK. However, illegal use of
Tolylfluanid in the UK has been repeatedly reported by the UK Working Party on
Pesticide Residues (WPPR)(13).
In 1997 the Federal Register reported on a petition by Bayer for the setting
of residue levels for Tolylfluanid(14). It was reported that in rats
Tolylfluanid altered thyroid hormone levels and caused an increased incidence of
hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions of the thyroid (primarily adenomas).
SEE:
Thyroid Cancer
Subchronic toxicity studies conducted in rats showed decreased body weight
gain, decreased liver enzymes, slightly increased relative liver weights, and
thyroid toxicity, while decreased body weight gain, increased liver enzyme
activity, slightly increased relative liver weights, and increased PAS staining
in the liver occurred in a subchronic dietary dog study.
Chronic toxicity studies on Tolylfluanid were done in the rat, mouse and dog.
Tolylfluanid was tested in two rat chronic dietary studies. Increased growth of
the incisors of the upper jaw and skeletal changes (hyperostosis in the skull
and ribs) resulted from the high fluorine content of the compound.
Hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity were seen in rats, mice, and dogs. Renal
toxicity was "probably attributable to the effects of fluoride on renal
tubules"(14).
The reference dose (RfD) for Tolylfluanid was set at 0.08 mg/kg/day
(5.6mg/day for a person weighing 70 kgs). Nobody ever thought about setting it
in context with other fluoride intake, such as fluoridated water, or cryolite.
Bayer, in their petition - while stating their belief that the EPA will
classify Tolylfluanid as a possible human carcinogen, based on benign thyroid
tumors seen in the chronic rat studies - asked for the following maximum residue
levels (MRL):
Grapes....5.0 mg/kg
Hops......30.0 mg/kg
Tomatoes..1.0 mg/kg
Apples....5.0mg/kg
Current CODEX tolerances for Tolylfluanid in other countries are(14):
5 mg/kg for currents (black, red, and white)
2 mg/kg for Gherkins,
1 mg/kg for head lettuce,
5 mg/kg for apples,
3 mg/kg for strawberries
2 mg/kg for tomatoes.
In the case of apples, this is of immediate concern.
59.7% of apple juice consumed in the U.S. is imported(14). Apple juice is
drunk by many children on a daily basis, particularly infants. A national survey
of pediatric health professionals confirms that apple juice is the first juice
most often recommended for infants. Since apple juice is so well accepted and
pleasing, according to the survey, it remains the
fruit juice of choice for babies and toddlers(15).
Although recently published research suggested an association between fruit
juice consumption and short stature and obesity (both indicators of thyroid
dysfunction) the researchers note, "We have clearly stated in the paper that
this is a cross-sectional study and that we cannot infer causality." They also
state, "The development of obesity is multifactorial, with genetic, social and
environmental influences" (15).
Sure it is. Maybe they should talk to an endocrinologist about that.
By the way, if governments are fluoridating public water supplies for the
benefit of children, are they even noticing that children don't drink much
water?
The newest USDA data -- 1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals
(CSFIII) -- show that boys and girls five and under drink about 23 ounces of
beverages each day, of which 21% is 100% fruit juice and 17% is fruit drinks/ades.
Above age five, their consumption of 100% fruit juice declines noticeably. Girls
in that age category consume 25 ounces of beverages, of which only 12% is fruit
juice and 18% is fruit drinks/ades. Boys of the same age consume 27 ounces of
beverages, and only 9.5% is fruit juice and 19% is fruit drinks/ades. (Milk and
soft drinks account for the remainder of the amounts indicated, NOT water...)
(15)
The chronic dietary exposure to Tolylfluanid is 23.29% of the RfD for
non-nursing infants, the most highly exposed group(14).
We have infants, the most highly exposed group according to the Federal
Register, consuming high amounts of Tolylfluanid on a daily basis! Tolylfluanid
causes thyroid dysfunction and thyroid cancer. Proper thyroid function is
essential for the developing brain.
Tolylfluanid is made by Bayer, member of the German Pharma-Cartel which also
includes Hoechst and BASF. Knolls (BASF) also makes Synthroid, the medication
then used every day to treat the condition caused by Tolylfluanid. This is an
obscene and outright hideous situation, and a clear example how the same people
will first make you sick, then sell you the medication required to get well.
3) RELIABILITY OF RESIDUE TESTING
In its annual report, published in September 1999, the WPPR reported the
existence of large variations in residue test results, therefore casting a
serious concern as to reliability in setting maximum residue levels (MRL)(16).
Tests run in 1999 by the WPPR on four representative commodities - apples,
lettuce, oranges and tomatoes - and spiked with over 100 pesticide residues,
showed that residue 'loss' occurred during processing. The loss of residues
means that results may understate the amount of pesticide actually in the
sample.
The WPPR reported these results as highly significant, for clearly
interpretation of residue analysis needs to be taken "with a grain of salt, for
there may be many more pesticides in food than we think."
TABLE 1: Loss of pesticide residues from spiked samples during analytical
processing(16):
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4) COCKTAILS
A group of biologists and medical researchers at the University of
Wisconsin in Madison, led by Warren P. Porter, recently completed a 5-year
experiment putting mixtures of low levels of pesticide chemicals into the
drinking water of male mice and carefully measuring the results(17). They
reported that combinations of these chemicals -- at levels similar to those
found in the groundwater of agricultural areas of the U.S. -- have measurable
detrimental effects on the nervous, immune and endocrine (hormone) systems. They
say their research has direct implications for humans (18).
Such combinations of pesticides are commonly called "cocktails". A cocktail
is much more than just the active ingredients. The so-called inert ingredients
are in fact equally biologically active, if not more so. It's hard to think of
something more biologically active than fluorides.
Porter explains, "To get a chemical into a cell you've got to have part of
the chemical that's fat soluble so it can pass through the cell membrane. And
part of it has to have a strong electrical charge because you need to attract
the chemical to the part of the cell where you want to do the damage. The
trouble is, the ways cells communicate, both within themselves and between each
other, is by means of highly charged molecules, ions really. These things are
being pumped across the membranes and moved around in cells. So when you take a
chemical that you've designed that has a strong electrical charge and you put it
in the middle of this tremendous stream of communication--I mean, a high school
chemistry student could tell you there are going to be effects. There's just no
way these things are not going to be biologically active. It's very important
for people to understand that. This is a very real concern." (18)
5) EXPOSURE DURING PESTICIDES APPLICATIONS
Porter uses the term "Pulse Dose" (18) in reference to pesticide use and
environmental health. Receiving "pulses" of poisons would be normal in the case
of agricultural poisons which are sprayed onto crops only at certain times of
the year. During application people living near sprayed fields might get a
sudden dose of poison via their lungs, their skin and their drinking water.
Recently a study of 4 and 5 year-old children exposed to pesticides in Mexico
specifically noted a decrease in mental ability and an increase in aggressive
behavior among children, indicating thyroid dysfunction. Functionally, the
exposed children demonstrated decreases in stamina, gross and fine eye-hand
coordination, 30-minute memory, and the ability to draw a person. Behavior of
pesticide-exposed children was described as, "Some valley children were observed
hitting their siblings when they passed by, and they became easily upset or
angry with a minor corrective comment by a parent. These aggressive behaviors
were not noted in the foothills" (pesticide-free)(19).
In humans, as in dogs, behaviour and learning disabilities are seen long
before any clinical signs of thyroid dysfunction are manifest (20).
It is an abhorrent practice for US pesticide manufacturers to export illegal
dangerous pesticides to other countries, knowing that no regulations exist in
those countries. This should be considered a crime against mankind.
The World Health Organization estimates that all of the 220,000 annual
pesticide related deaths occur in the Third World (21), where 80 percent of the
world's pesticides are used. Agricultural workers are rarely, if ever, given
sufficient information on the risks involved and thus do not take proper
protective measures when using pesticides. Pesticide poisoning is thirteen
times higher for Latin American workers than for US workers (22).
Fluoride intake from all sources must be urgently addressed.
Parents of Fluoride Poisoned Children
Vancouver, BC, Canada
PFPC - "F- in Food" (Table w/references)
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References: For list of references used in this article, send e-mail to pfpcnews@bruha.com, putting "Refs PFPC SI" in subject box.
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