Re: Tooth Fairy Project-results?

The first results of the Tooth Fairy Project (or Baby Teeth Study) were published in the fall of 2000 by Gould, Sternglass, Sherman, Brown, McDonnell and Mangano. The study can be found on the Radiation and Public Health Project, Inc. (RPHP) web site at <http://www.radiation.org> The manuscript reference is:

Gould, J.M., et al. Strontium-90 in Deciduous Teeth as a Factor in Childhood Cancer. International Journal of Health Services 30 (2000) 515-539.

The authors claims that of 515 baby teeth analyzed, results show there is an increased presence in the amount of Sr-90 in the teeth, which rivals those levels found during the height of international nuclear bomb testing. They claim there is an increase in the rate of childhood cancers and immulogic diseases associated with radiostrontium. They attribute the presence of Sr-90 in the teeth to nuclear power plant emissions. While evaluating the study with as little bias as possible, and applying sound scientific principles, I have formed my own opinion as to the veracity of the study.

The current count for baby teeth is about 2400 collected in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida, and about 1500 have been analyzed by a private laboratory in Canada. Previously, the lab had been incorrectly reported to part of the University of Ottawa. The individual responsible for the sample preparation and analysis is Dr. Hari Sharma, Professor Emeritus of Radiochemistry and President of REMS, Inc., in Waterloo, Canada. A discussion of the chemical separation and radioanalysis technique is included as an Appendix in the report. Dr. Sharma has testified before the British Parliament on purported levels of DU present in British Gulf War veterans and the possible link with health effects.

If you are not familiar with this journal, you may not be alone. Under the "Aims and Scope" section of this 'scientific' journal one finds the following:

"The International Journal of Health Services contains articles on health and social policy, political economy and sociology, history and philosophy, ethics and law in the area of health and health care..."

The study had earlier been linked by some to Johns Hopkins University, while close scrutiny shows that it is the editor of the journal who has that affiliation, rather than some official endorsement by the medical center.

Efforts to gain private and government funding continue. With respect to government funding, efforts remain underway on a broad scale to gain funding which is focused on the state level. In the State of New York, Westchester and Suffolk counties have provided $25K and $35K, respectively.

When 5,000 teeth are analyzed, RPHP plans to correlate the levels of radioactivity by location. Currently the group targets areas around nuclear plants by zip code.

As mentioned in previous postings by RADSAFERS, RPHP is closely linked to the STAR Foundation (http://www.noradiation.org), and numerous other activist groups, with actor Alec Baldwin donating his time and often serving as the moderator for key Tooth Fairy Project public meetings.

In an attempt to get valid information, I contacted the USEPA, specifically officials at the National Air and Radiation Monitoring Laboratory, who operate the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS). This program continues to analyze Sr-90 in air, soil, water and milk across the U.S. The EPA would not comment on the Tooth Fairy Project at that time since nothing had been published, and they are understandably not inclined to comment on anecdotal information. Hopefully now that this study has surfaced the EPA will provide some comment regarding the lack of any such increase in Sr-90 (granted they are using different medium), or take some action to verify the methodology and results of the study. One can view Sr-90 quarterly data from 1993-1997 on the ERAMS web site (< http://www.epa.gov/narel/erdonline.html>).

It is expected that the State of New Jersey would address the issues raised by the project in their upcoming report regarding Toms River, New Jersey and cancers in that area.

This posting has been provided with the intent of offering some new information possibly not previously reported on RADSAFE. It is not meant to impugn any individuals involved. Good science should prevail in resolving this issue.

My opinion only,

Roger Shaw, CHP

McCarter & English

973-622-4444