Linus Pauling, Winner of the Nobel Prize (1954) and National Medal of Science (1974)
Note: Opponents of water fluoridation often label fluoride as “toxic” or “poison.” Linus Pauling debunked this assertion in a 1967 article by writing:
“In this respect, fluoride ion is similar to many other substances, such as vitamin D, that are harmful in large amounts but are required in small amounts for life and good health of human beings.”
Roughly 20 years before he died, Pauling co-founded the Linus Pauling Institute. The Institute has issued this statement on fluoride:
“Although its role in the prevention of dental caries (tooth decay) is well established, fluoride is not generally considered an essential mineral element because humans do not require it for growth or to sustain life. However, if one considers the prevention of chronic disease (dental caries) an important criterion in determining essentiality, then fluoride might well be considered an essential trace element.”
