A team of researchers from the Universities of Leeds, Newcastle and Oxford found no statistically significant difference in osteosarcoma rates between areas of England, Scotland and Wales with very low fluoride concentrations in water and those with a 1mg/L concentration. (1)

Having completed an analysis of osteosarcoma cases occurring between 1980 and 2005 in people up to the age of 50, the researchers reported their results in 2014.

They concluded: “The findings from this study provide no evidence that higher levels of fluoride (whether natural or artificial) in drinking water in Great Britain lead to greater risk of either osteosarcoma or Ewing sarcoma.”

In total, the study involved analysis of 2,566 osteosarcoma cases and 1,560 Ewing sarcoma cases.  Primary bone cancer is reported to be the third most common cancer in 10 to 24 year olds.

The researchers note in their report that there are few Ewing sarcoma cases above the age of 50 and that and that osteosarcoma in people over 50 is usually associated with Paget’s disease or is secondary to radiotherapy treatment.  That is why they limited their analysis to cases of individuals between 0 and 49 years old.

1. Blakey K et al (2014): Is fluoride a risk factor for bone cancer?  Small area analysis of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma diagnosed among 0-49 year olds in Great Britain, 1980-2005.  International Journal of Epidemiology, 2014, 224-234.