USA - Burlington Fluoride Fight

Burlington, Vermont - January 6, 2009
For more than a half century Burlington and most other municipalities in the nation have dumped tiny amounts of fluoride-- less than four parts per million-- into their public water systems.
Two years ago every major health and regulatory agency issued a joint statement reaffirming that the fluoride is a significant public health benefit because it dramatically reduces tooth decay by hardening enamel.
But don't tell that to Alan Sousie, the Chair of the Burlington Board of Health.
"We're fed information that tells us fluoride is good for teeth," Sousie says. "It's all we need to know. Well, the fact of the matter is that what we're putting in the water is poison."
Monday night Sousie and two other members of the board-- by a 3-to-2 vote-- passed a resolution requesting the city council to immediately remove the fluoride from the water supply. Sousie claims new research shows fluoride even in small amounts could pose a health threat to some vulnerable populations-- like infants and diabetics.
"How much risk do we have to have before we do something? I don't think any risk is permissible," Sousie says.
Sousie and other fluoride opponents made similar claims three years ago when they gathered enough signatures to get the issue on the Town Meeting ballot. But the opponents lost. 75-percent of the voters OK'd fluoride use.
"I'm always willing to listen but I don't see the council immediately removing fluoride," says Kurt Wright, R-Burlington City Council President.
Wright says he's seen no new research that indicates fluoride has suddenly become a health threat, so there's no need to change city policy.
"Again I think that it's been shown that this is beneficial to citizens, that's everything that I've read that I know about has indicated that it's been useful in the Burlington water in the small amounts of water, the small percentages that it's in our water," Wright says.
The resolution will now go to the city council for its consideration.
The council could decide to hold public hearings to determine whether voters will once again be asked to consider the fluoride issue-- possibly at March Town Meeting.
The council could also table the issue indefinitely and do nothing at all.
But even without the council's support, this issue could end up back before the voters. The supporters can get the issue on the Town Meeting Day ballot with a petition drive. They just need the signatures of 5 percent of registered voters. And Alan Sousie acknowledged there is a drive underway to do exactly that.
Brian Joyce - WCAX News