Does fluoridation harm immune function?
There have been suggestions, mainly in the lay press, that fluoridation might affect immunity. Careful examination of various studies on fluoride and immune function do not support this suggestion. Whilst fluoride at high concentrations can have inhibitory effects on lymphocyte and polymorphonuclear leucocyte function, these concentrations are many times higher than levels which would be expected from fluoridation. Fluoride can act as an immunological adjuvant. There is no evidence of any deleterious effect on specific immunity following fluoridation nor any confirmed reports of allergic reactions.
Challacombe
S J
SJ
Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, UMDS, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005457:Fluoridation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D018375:Neutrophil Activation / Q000187:drug effects
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D005459:Fluorides