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https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/785076

Fluoride: Potential Developmental Neurotoxicity

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Topic Overview

CASRN: 16984-48-8
Status: Topic under evaluation

Background Information

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) conducted a systematic review of the scientific research on fluoride exposure and neurodevelopmental and cognitive health effects in humans. The report underwent two peer reviews by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Both times, the NASEM committee stated that NTP had not adequately supported its conclusions that fluoride should be classified as a cognitive neurodevelopmental hazard for humans.

Based on the NASEM review, the NTP removed the hazard conclusion classification of fluoride and made additional changes, resulting in two draft documents, 1) an NTP Monograph on the State of the Science that considered research published through May 2020, and 2) a manuscript on the meta-analysis of the data that considered research published through November 2021.

In May 2022, NTP Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D., tasked the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) to conduct additional scientific review of these documents. A BSC working group is evaluating the input from the NASEM committee, federal agencies, and external experts about the scientific strength of the NTP fluoride report and analysis. The BSC is expected to make its recommendations to Dr. Woychik in early 2023. Dr. Woychik will consider the recommendations and make the decision about publication and dissemination of the NTP Fluoride Monograph and submission of the meta-analysis manuscript to a journal.

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Documents

Documents for Fluoride: Potential Developmental Neurotoxicity
Date Document
Oct 07, 2015 Federal Register notice requesting information on nominated substances
Nov 19, 2015 Proposed NTP Evaluation on Fluoride Concept
Dec 02, 2015 Presentation: NTP Evaluation of Fluoride Exposure and Potential for Developmental Neurobehavioral Effects
Jul 01, 2016 Completed Systematic Review
Preferred Citation: NTP (National Toxicology Program). 2016. Systematic Literature Review on the Effects of Fluoride on Learning and Memory in Animal Studies. NTP Research Report 1. Research Triangle Park, NC: National Toxicology Program.
Jun 01, 2017 NTP Protocol for Systematic Review of Human, Animal, and Mechanistic Evidence
May 29, 2019 NTP Protocol for Systematic Review of Human, Animal, and Mechanistic Evidence - First Revision
Sept 16, 2020 NTP Protocol for Systematic Review of Human, Animal, and Mechanistic Evidence - Second Revision
Sept 16, 2020 Literature Search Results
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Meetings & Events

Listing of related events
Date Event Event Type Materials
Oct 19, 2020 Peer Review of the Revised NTP Monograph on Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Health Effects by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Expert Panels - Other Panels
Nov 06, 2019 Peer Review of the Draft NTP Monograph on Systematic Review of Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Health Effects by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Expert Panels - Other Panels
Dec 01, 2015 NTP Board of Scientific Counselors Meeting Board of Scientific Counselors
  • Agenda
  • Meeting Materials

    NTP Board of Scientific Counselors Meeting Meeting Materials
    December 1–2, 2015

    Supplemental materials for some events, meetings, and workshops prior to 2019 have been archived. These archived materials frequently include presentations, background materials, and public comments. Email us or use our contact form to request a list or copy of archived materials.

     
  • Minutes

Supplemental materials for some events, meetings, and workshops prior to 2019 have been archived. These archived materials frequently include presentations, background materials, and public comments. Email us or use our contact form to request a list or copy of archived materials.

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