Fluoride derided
The article about the call for the use of fluoridated salt by the first Asian president of the Federation Dentaire Internationale, also known as the World Dental Association, and other people, was a great shock (“Global dental expert pushes fluoridated salt,” Aug. 5, page 3).
It is important to know that the federation is a private lobby group for more than 200 international dental associations. Its agenda, as it states, is to promote fluoridated products as a way to reduce dental caries by putting the substance in toothpaste, salt and water supplies. The trouble is, there is absolutely no proof that any of these practices are beneficial. A lot of credible research has showed just the opposite.
In Europe, where fluoride is not put into water supplies, studies have indicated over the past 50 years that the reduction of caries has dropped at the same rate, or even more, than in the US, where fluoride is added to the water supplies in many towns and cities. Halogen elements, like fluorine, bromine and chlorine, have faced restrictions in Europe since the end of World War I, after countless thousands of soldiers and civilians died horrible deaths from poison gas made with bromine and chlorine. Basic chemistry shows that fluorine is more potent than either of them.
So what do Europeans use to purify water supplies? They mainly use ozone in water treatment plants and swimming pools because it is less expensive, more effective, and healthier for humans and animals.
Why is there a push to use fluoridated products in Asia? The answer seems simple. Big tobacco companies lost revenue in the US in the 1970s when legislation forced them to labels packaging with cancer warnings so they went overseas to open new markets.
In Canada and the US, there is a huge movement to eliminate fluoride from water supplies, as people have discovered diseases and irreparable harm caused by its use. Concerned people need to investigate more. Getting fluoride into salt seems to be a backdoor approach to enter a new market.
Anyone can do an Internet search and find out about fluoride and its side effects, since so many articles have been written on both sides of this important question.
Children, pregnant women and elderly people seem to suffer the most in the initial stages when exposed to fluorine, so people must be careful about what they ingest. That is elementary. Good luck in your Internet search endeavors.
Mike C
Greater Tainan
Ignore ‘Journal’s’ advice
So the Wall Street Journal, the paper of record that advocates for the rich and super-rich alike, suggests that Taiwan should sign a free-trade agreement.
While the North American Free Trade Agreement and normalized trade agreements with China have been a windfall for US corporations, the average American considers these agreements the beginning of the end.
The Wall Street Journal, the definitive insider’s paper on matters of the economy and banking sector, failed to predict the 2008 economic collapse, but claims to be prescient of Taiwan’s future without a free-trade agreement.
The Journal also advocates that Washington stops US corporation inversions by basically giving the businesses whatever they want, including lower tax rates.
Here is a nickel’s worth of free advice: The Journal’s free advice isn’t worth a damn.
Aaron Andrews
Greater Taichung
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