Comment submitted by K. Fontaine

sulfuryl fluroide The NAS has identified a range of serious health effects that may be caused by fluoride exposure; endocrine disruption, neurological disorders, damage to the immune and gastrointestinal systems, and cancer. Has the EPA failed to READ the recent NAS report on fluoride that the EPA requested? My family has struggled over the past 5 years - trying to avoid fluoride - this chemical waste by product is imbedded deeply in the American food chain. This scrubber waste item, generally from phosphate fertilizer production, is frequently contaminated with varying amounts of cadmium, aluminum, arsenic, lead, or mercury. Studies have shown that minute amounts of these heavy metals (much less than would generally be considered toxic) are harmful in various ways when combined with fluoride. Can you send me the results of one single safety test performed on hydrofluocilicic acid involving the human body? infants, pregnant women, the elderly, diabetics? My son Derek developed thyroid disease at age 21 due to the ingestion of fluoride. The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 1998 suggested that there are at least 13 million people in this country who have a thyroid problem - but don't know it. The thyroid doctors at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in NY estimated in 2000 that at least 20 million people are currently being treated for a thyroid problem. A 2001 article in the Journal of Epidemiology reveals that one of every four menopausal women is suffering from some degree of hypothyroidism. Clearly this is a massive epidemic, and it appears to be getting worse - why are you even contemplating adding MORE fluoride? Please protect the health of Americans like my son - read the NAS report - the MCL should be lowered! The EPA needs to protect the health of ALL Americans and the environment of our wonderful planet - not the pockets of the chemical corporations! Tell Dow to go take a hike!