Black Pastor Calls for Fluoridegate Investigations

Cites Disproportionate Fluoride Risks for African Americans

Memphis, TN: Reverend William Owens, President of the Coalition of African American Pastors, is joining a growing chorus of leaders calling for federal and state hearings and investigations into new revelations about risks from drinking fluoridated water.

In 2006 the National Research Council published a report that listed diabetics, kidney patients, babies and children, seniors, and outdoor workers as "susceptible subpopulations" that are especially vulnerable to harm from fluorides.

Owens is an outspoken advocate for assisting children in their education and is concerned about reports of IQ impacts from children ingesting fluorides.

A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, a publication of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, documented diminished IQ in children from fluorides in water.

In 2009 a study in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry noted that black children ingest significantly more fluorides than white children.

CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published data in 2005 showing that blacks have significantly more of the worst forms of dental fluorosis than whites. Owens wants to know why African Americans leaders weren't openly given this and other important information.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed somewhat reducing the level of fluoride in water in a statement on January 7, 2011.

The HHS actions don't go far enough, according to Rev. Owens, citing the issue that some people drink dramatically more water than others, have medical susceptibilities to fluorides, and have numerous other uncontrolled sources of fluoride in their diet. (Willliam Owens)