The ADA warned that "Infants less than one year old may be getting more than the optimal amount of fluoride if their primary source of nutrition is powdered or liquid infant formula mixed with water containing fluoride."

The dentists are worried that fluoride exposure at this age will permanently damage teeth, not protect them. A growing body of research also links fluoride to weakened bones, reduced thyroid activity, and possibly bone cancer in boys.

The advice has so far gone largely unheeded. Nursery Water, the nation's leading brand of fluoridated water for babies, still markets its product nationwide at Wal*Mart and other major retailers.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is asking people to sign a letter to Wal*Mart, asking them to stop selling this product.

LINK: http://www.ewg.org/newsletter/20061129-fluoride/

Boston water has most fluoride among biggest US cities

In March, a report from the prestigious National Academy of Sciences (NAS) concluded that the current allowable level of fluoride in tap water is not protective of the public health and should be lowered. The NAS report cites serious concerns about bone fractures and dental fluorosis, a discoloration and weakening of the enamel of the teeth that the committee noted is associated with other adverse health impacts.

Because of the high fluoride content, EWG says that around two-thirds of all Boston bottle-fed infants are at risk for these and other health problems.

Of all major US cities, Boston has the highest fluoride content in its tap water, closely followed by Detroit.