66 l © 2025 American Dental Association
Section 2: Safety
36. Does fluoride affect the function of the pineal gland?
Answer
No. There is no known effect of fluoride on the functions of the pineal gland.
Fact
The pineal gland is an endocrine gland located in the brain that produces melatonin.306 Endocrine glands
secrete their products into the bloodstream and body tissues and help regulate many kinds of body
functions. The hormone melatonin plays a role in sleep, aging, and reproduction.307
A single researcher has published one study308 in a peer-reviewed scientific journal regarding
fluoride accumulation in the pineal gland. The purpose of the study was to discover whether fluoride
accumulates in the pineal gland of older adults. This limited study, conducted on only 11 cadavers
whose average age at death was 82 years, indicated that fluoride deposited in the pineal gland was
significantly linked to the amount of calcium in the pineal gland.308 It would not be unexpected to see
higher levels of calcium in the pineal gland of older individuals, as this would be considered part of a
normal aging process. As discussed in Question 25, approximately 99% of the fluoride present in the
body is associated with hard or calcified tissues.221 The study concluded that fluoride levels in the
pineal gland were not indicators of long-term fluoride exposure.308
The same researcher had theorized in her 1997 dissertation,309 portions of which are posted on numerous
Internet sites opposed to fluoridation, that the accumulation of fluoride in children’s pineal glands leads to
an earlier onset of puberty. However, the researcher notes in the dissertation that there is no verification
that fluoride accumulates in children’s pineal glands. Moreover, a study conducted in Newburgh (fluoridated)
and Kingston (non-fluoridated), New York, found no statistically significant difference between the
onset of menstruation for girls living in a fluoridated versus non-fluoridated area.310
The NRC’s 2006 report, Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards, stated
“Fluoride has not been measured in the pineal glands of children or young adults, nor has there been
any investigation of the relationship between pineal fluoride concentrations and either recent or
cumulative fluoride intakes.”26
37. Does fluoride, at the levels found in drinking water that is fluoridated to
the recommended levels, alter immune function or produce an allergic
reaction (hypersensitivity)?
Answer
No. There is no scientific evidence of any adverse effect from fluoridation on any specific immunity,
nor have there been any medically confirmed reports of allergic reaction from drinking or being in
contact with optimally fluoridated water.
Fact
There is no scientific evidence linking health conditions related to immune function, such as human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), with community water
fluoridation.311
Section 2: Safety
36. Does fluoride affect the function of the pineal gland?
Answer
No. There is no known effect of fluoride on the functions of the pineal gland.
Fact
The pineal gland is an endocrine gland located in the brain that produces melatonin.306 Endocrine glands
secrete their products into the bloodstream and body tissues and help regulate many kinds of body
functions. The hormone melatonin plays a role in sleep, aging, and reproduction.307
A single researcher has published one study308 in a peer-reviewed scientific journal regarding
fluoride accumulation in the pineal gland. The purpose of the study was to discover whether fluoride
accumulates in the pineal gland of older adults. This limited study, conducted on only 11 cadavers
whose average age at death was 82 years, indicated that fluoride deposited in the pineal gland was
significantly linked to the amount of calcium in the pineal gland.308 It would not be unexpected to see
higher levels of calcium in the pineal gland of older individuals, as this would be considered part of a
normal aging process. As discussed in Question 25, approximately 99% of the fluoride present in the
body is associated with hard or calcified tissues.221 The study concluded that fluoride levels in the
pineal gland were not indicators of long-term fluoride exposure.308
The same researcher had theorized in her 1997 dissertation,309 portions of which are posted on numerous
Internet sites opposed to fluoridation, that the accumulation of fluoride in children’s pineal glands leads to
an earlier onset of puberty. However, the researcher notes in the dissertation that there is no verification
that fluoride accumulates in children’s pineal glands. Moreover, a study conducted in Newburgh (fluoridated)
and Kingston (non-fluoridated), New York, found no statistically significant difference between the
onset of menstruation for girls living in a fluoridated versus non-fluoridated area.310
The NRC’s 2006 report, Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards, stated
“Fluoride has not been measured in the pineal glands of children or young adults, nor has there been
any investigation of the relationship between pineal fluoride concentrations and either recent or
cumulative fluoride intakes.”26
37. Does fluoride, at the levels found in drinking water that is fluoridated to
the recommended levels, alter immune function or produce an allergic
reaction (hypersensitivity)?
Answer
No. There is no scientific evidence of any adverse effect from fluoridation on any specific immunity,
nor have there been any medically confirmed reports of allergic reaction from drinking or being in
contact with optimally fluoridated water.
Fact
There is no scientific evidence linking health conditions related to immune function, such as human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), with community water
fluoridation.311
