USA - Martin likely to reject fluoridation

Martin likely to reject fluoridation
By Jason Schultz
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, December 17, 2006
STUART — The practice of adding fluoride to drinking water to strengthen teeth has been used for decades. And the battle over the merits - or dangers of the chemical has been raging across the globe about as long.
Anti-fluoride activists have claimed the chemical weakens teeth and bones since the 1940s, said Jensen Beach's Pat Arena, who has been leading a charge against fluoridation on the Treasure Coast. But dentists and national health organizations have always dismissed the claims of fluoride's detractors, pointing to scientific studies showing that fluoride does indeed strengthen teeth.
On Tuesday, the latest battle over fluoridation will be fought in the Martin County Commission chambers. And the growing group of local opponents will likely win their crusade to keep it out of the county's water.

"I think fluoride is going to go away. It's going to happen nationally," said Arena, an engineer who has been fighting since April to prevent fluoride from being added to water by the county's utility department for more than 20,000 customers.

Three county commissioners - Sarah Heard, Susan Valliere and Lee Weberman - say they will likely vote against fluoridation. The other two - Doug Smith and Chairman Michael DiTerlizzi - said last week they are still making up their minds.

"I think it's mass-medicating the public," Valliere said. "I just don't think I can confidently say to everybody 'It's safe. Drink up.''"