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Fluoride

FL: Fluoride and the Renal System (2010)

Assessment
What are the effects of fluoride exposure (intake) on the renal system at different levels (among different age groups)?
- Conclusion
  Research on the relationship between ingestion of fluoride and renal function is limited by several factors including:
  - Most of the studies were of neutral or negative methodological quality
  - Few studies report precise individual levels of fluoride ingestion
  - None of the studies were of U.S. populations.
  The research suggests that ingestion of lower levels (conservatively, lower than 1 to 1.5ppm) of fluoride in healthy subjects is not associated with renal impairment.
  
  The very limited research does suggest an association between ingestion of higher levels (2.2ppm in a single study, though there is no clear definition of "higher levels" obtainable from the research) of fluoride in drinking water and fluorotoxic effects in subjects with impaired renal function. However, the research suggests that this association may be the result of impaired fluoride excretion by subjects who already have some form of renal compromise.
- Grade: III
  - Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
  - Grade II is Fair;
  - Grade III is Limited/Weak;
  - Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
  - Grade V is Not Assignable.
- Evidence Summary: What are the effects of fluoride exposure (intake) on the renal system at different levels (among different age groups)?
- Search Plan and Results: FL: Fluoride and the Renal System 2009