USA - Opinion
Stick with the fluoride
Palm Beach Post Editorial
Monday, November 20, 2006
Martin County commissioners should resist a growing sentiment against the county's plans, in the works for several years, to fluoridate drinking water for 28,000 customers. The evidence of fluoride's potential good still outweighs worries about harm it could cause.
Martin organized an oral health task force in 2002, and the group recommended fluoridation, citing scientific studies that say fluoride can strengthen teeth and help prevent decay. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Dental Association endorse fluoridation. Commissioners voted 4-1 in 2003 to fluoridate drinking water provided by the county's plant, and spent more than $201,000 building a fluoridation system. The county is ready to implement the system early next year.
About six months ago, Jensen Beach engineer Pat Arena began raising questions about fluoride use, citing other studies suggesting that fluoride can harm infants and cause bone, tooth and thyroid problems in adults if amounts in the water aren't regulated properly. Commissioners decided to vote again Dec. 19.
The county probably would have to return $129,000 in state grant money it used to build the system if commissioners decide against fluoridation. But money is not the issue. Fluoride has a 50-year history of success, and is particularly helpful to the poor, who don't always have fluoridated toothpaste and often can't afford dentists. Problems with fluoride in water systems apparently could occur only if improper amounts are used, and with proper regulation, this won't happen. A recent National Research Council report suggests that the Environmental Protection Agency could lower the levels it considers safe.
Mr. Arena has added Stuart and Port St. Lucie to his anti-fluoride campaign and wants to meet with each council member to press his cause. Stuart plans to start adding fluoride next year, and Port St. Lucie has added fluoride to its water since 1993. But council members in both cities have said they will consider whether fluoridation should continue. Both Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties have no plans to end fluoridation, which Palm Beach approved again this year.
Others nationally are debating fluoride, arguing about whether to stop or never start adding it to public water supplies. With no strong evidence that it does harm and a long history of good, putting it in the water seems reasonable.
Palm Beach Post Editorial
Monday, November 20, 2006
Martin County commissioners should resist a growing sentiment against the county's plans, in the works for several years, to fluoridate drinking water for 28,000 customers. The evidence of fluoride's potential good still outweighs worries about harm it could cause.
Martin organized an oral health task force in 2002, and the group recommended fluoridation, citing scientific studies that say fluoride can strengthen teeth and help prevent decay. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Dental Association endorse fluoridation. Commissioners voted 4-1 in 2003 to fluoridate drinking water provided by the county's plant, and spent more than $201,000 building a fluoridation system. The county is ready to implement the system early next year.
About six months ago, Jensen Beach engineer Pat Arena began raising questions about fluoride use, citing other studies suggesting that fluoride can harm infants and cause bone, tooth and thyroid problems in adults if amounts in the water aren't regulated properly. Commissioners decided to vote again Dec. 19.
The county probably would have to return $129,000 in state grant money it used to build the system if commissioners decide against fluoridation. But money is not the issue. Fluoride has a 50-year history of success, and is particularly helpful to the poor, who don't always have fluoridated toothpaste and often can't afford dentists. Problems with fluoride in water systems apparently could occur only if improper amounts are used, and with proper regulation, this won't happen. A recent National Research Council report suggests that the Environmental Protection Agency could lower the levels it considers safe.
Mr. Arena has added Stuart and Port St. Lucie to his anti-fluoride campaign and wants to meet with each council member to press his cause. Stuart plans to start adding fluoride next year, and Port St. Lucie has added fluoride to its water since 1993. But council members in both cities have said they will consider whether fluoridation should continue. Both Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties have no plans to end fluoridation, which Palm Beach approved again this year.
Others nationally are debating fluoride, arguing about whether to stop or never start adding it to public water supplies. With no strong evidence that it does harm and a long history of good, putting it in the water seems reasonable.
posted by Bill at
1:35 PM
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