Fluoridating water saves money in the long run
Fluoridating water saves money in the long run
Updated 21 hours ago
It was sad to see the headline "Region kills fluoridated water plan" in Monday's Review. Since the beginning of water fluoridation, there have been those who claim it to be the cause of every known health problem.
They seem to have won the day, in spite of the fact the world's top scientists have consistently found these claims to be false. When used at the recommended level, it is 100 per cent safe and its use is steadily expanding in the United States, where two thirds of the population already enjoys its benefits with more cities adding it every year.
In 2003, the community of Dorval, Que., stopped fluoridating its water to save costs. This resulted in a more than fourfold increase in cavities, to 11.8 per cent from 2.5 per cent of children in just 4 years.
Here in Niagara, it would cost only $600,000 per year in operating costs, (or $1.38 for each of the region's 435,000 residents), plus $3 million in capital investment, to get region-wide distribution of fluoride, whereas it would cost up to $17 million dollars to fluoridate a few of the region's communities piecemeal. As taxpayers, we would be saving $14 million and benefitting all of our citizens, young and old. Why should Niagara's people be left in a backwater of health neglect by the very representatives who should be looking after our best interests?
Both health-wise and cost-wise, the region-wide fluoridation of water is a win-win situation. Let us hope the councillors will give it a second look. They owe it to our children, and for that matter, themselves.
Dr. John Ainslie
Niagara Falls
100% safe? 100% affective? And too good to be true.
Updated 21 hours ago
It was sad to see the headline "Region kills fluoridated water plan" in Monday's Review. Since the beginning of water fluoridation, there have been those who claim it to be the cause of every known health problem.
They seem to have won the day, in spite of the fact the world's top scientists have consistently found these claims to be false. When used at the recommended level, it is 100 per cent safe and its use is steadily expanding in the United States, where two thirds of the population already enjoys its benefits with more cities adding it every year.
In 2003, the community of Dorval, Que., stopped fluoridating its water to save costs. This resulted in a more than fourfold increase in cavities, to 11.8 per cent from 2.5 per cent of children in just 4 years.
Here in Niagara, it would cost only $600,000 per year in operating costs, (or $1.38 for each of the region's 435,000 residents), plus $3 million in capital investment, to get region-wide distribution of fluoride, whereas it would cost up to $17 million dollars to fluoridate a few of the region's communities piecemeal. As taxpayers, we would be saving $14 million and benefitting all of our citizens, young and old. Why should Niagara's people be left in a backwater of health neglect by the very representatives who should be looking after our best interests?
Both health-wise and cost-wise, the region-wide fluoridation of water is a win-win situation. Let us hope the councillors will give it a second look. They owe it to our children, and for that matter, themselves.
Dr. John Ainslie
Niagara Falls
100% safe? 100% affective? And too good to be true.
posted by Bill at
10:26 AM
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