USA - Fluoridation plan continues, despite outcry
Fluoridation plan continues, despite outcry
Water district ignores city request to delay plans for further evaluation. The issue has divided town for a month of protest, debate.
By Michael Miller
Reader Feedback - Currently 3 comment(s) Comments
NEWPORT BEACH — State officials and pediatric dentists voiced support at the Newport Beach City Council meeting Tuesday for putting fluoride in the region’s drinking water, while opponents argued the plan could cause unforeseen health problems.
The study session, held before the council’s regular meeting, did not lead to the council taking any action, but provided another forum for an issue that has divided Newport Beach for the last month.
About half the speakers Tuesday urged the council to accept the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s decision to fluoridate drinking water, citing health benefits, while others said tampering with the water could do more harm than good.
“The take-home message for tonight, ladies and gentleman, is that fluoridated water is safe,” said David Nelson of the state’s Department of Public Health. “We’ve been discussing this for 60 years.”
A number of speakers, however, expressed uncertainty about the effects of fluoride and urged the City Council to conduct its own research rather than rely on outside opinions.“Since when is an endorsement a substitute for science?” said Jeff Green, the national director of Citizens for Safe Drinking Water, who argued that fluoride had not been proven to reduce tooth decay.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California agreed in 2003 to add fluoride to local water supplies after county health officials and dentists requested it. The district’s Robert B. Diemer Treatment Plant in Yorba Linda, which provides 18% of Newport Beach’s drinking water, is scheduled to begin fluoridating water Nov. 19.
The City Council, responding to residents’ concerns, asked the district in October to delay fluoridation until council members could evaluate the issue further; the district announced, however, it would go ahead with its plan.
Spokesman Bob Muir said Tuesday two of the district’s five plants had already started fluoridation and that the other three were set to follow in the coming weeks.
“At this time, we’re moving ahead as planned,” he said. “I’m not aware of any movement to delay this process.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.
Reader Feedback
There are 3 comment(s) comments on this story:
Lori wrote on Nov 14, 2007 3:47 PM:
" Did ANYONE really think our City would stand up for it's residents?? time and again they prove who they bow down to...DEVELOPERS and Profiteers. This City could sue the Water Dept. with the CLEAN WATERS ACT...and stop this pollution in it's tracks...they would sue a resident if they thought they were polluting the water wouldn't they?? but oh no, don't actually DO anything that might upset your little political apple cart "
Fluoride Action Network wrote on Nov 14, 2007 3:07 AM:
" Take Action to End Fluoridation Nation-wide Online Petition to End Fluoridation and call for a Congressional Hearing http://www.actionstudio.org/public/page_view_all.cfm?option=begin&pageid=8276 Sponsored by the Fluoride Action Network http://FluorideAction.Net "
Newport Beach Resident wrote on Nov 14, 2007 12:49 AM:
" Take a sample of your tap water now and in 2 months, then then let's all get them together to test for chemicals, arsenic, mercury, fluoride etc Label your bottle with date and address water came from and let's find a UCI scientist interested in testing our tap water for a final result! "
Water district ignores city request to delay plans for further evaluation. The issue has divided town for a month of protest, debate.
By Michael Miller
Reader Feedback - Currently 3 comment(s) Comments
NEWPORT BEACH — State officials and pediatric dentists voiced support at the Newport Beach City Council meeting Tuesday for putting fluoride in the region’s drinking water, while opponents argued the plan could cause unforeseen health problems.
The study session, held before the council’s regular meeting, did not lead to the council taking any action, but provided another forum for an issue that has divided Newport Beach for the last month.
About half the speakers Tuesday urged the council to accept the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s decision to fluoridate drinking water, citing health benefits, while others said tampering with the water could do more harm than good.
“The take-home message for tonight, ladies and gentleman, is that fluoridated water is safe,” said David Nelson of the state’s Department of Public Health. “We’ve been discussing this for 60 years.”
A number of speakers, however, expressed uncertainty about the effects of fluoride and urged the City Council to conduct its own research rather than rely on outside opinions.“Since when is an endorsement a substitute for science?” said Jeff Green, the national director of Citizens for Safe Drinking Water, who argued that fluoride had not been proven to reduce tooth decay.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California agreed in 2003 to add fluoride to local water supplies after county health officials and dentists requested it. The district’s Robert B. Diemer Treatment Plant in Yorba Linda, which provides 18% of Newport Beach’s drinking water, is scheduled to begin fluoridating water Nov. 19.
The City Council, responding to residents’ concerns, asked the district in October to delay fluoridation until council members could evaluate the issue further; the district announced, however, it would go ahead with its plan.
Spokesman Bob Muir said Tuesday two of the district’s five plants had already started fluoridation and that the other three were set to follow in the coming weeks.
“At this time, we’re moving ahead as planned,” he said. “I’m not aware of any movement to delay this process.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.
Reader Feedback
There are 3 comment(s) comments on this story:
Lori wrote on Nov 14, 2007 3:47 PM:
" Did ANYONE really think our City would stand up for it's residents?? time and again they prove who they bow down to...DEVELOPERS and Profiteers. This City could sue the Water Dept. with the CLEAN WATERS ACT...and stop this pollution in it's tracks...they would sue a resident if they thought they were polluting the water wouldn't they?? but oh no, don't actually DO anything that might upset your little political apple cart "
Fluoride Action Network wrote on Nov 14, 2007 3:07 AM:
" Take Action to End Fluoridation Nation-wide Online Petition to End Fluoridation and call for a Congressional Hearing http://www.actionstudio.org/public/page_view_all.cfm?option=begin&pageid=8276 Sponsored by the Fluoride Action Network http://FluorideAction.Net "
Newport Beach Resident wrote on Nov 14, 2007 12:49 AM:
" Take a sample of your tap water now and in 2 months, then then let's all get them together to test for chemicals, arsenic, mercury, fluoride etc Label your bottle with date and address water came from and let's find a UCI scientist interested in testing our tap water for a final result! "
posted by Bill at
10:03 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home