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UK Against Fluoridation

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

USA - Debate in Denham Springs over adding fluoride to water

Debate in Denham Springs over adding fluoride to water
Posted: Dec 15, 2009 11:51 PM
Updated: Dec 16, 2009 12:53 AM
By Tyana Williams
DENHAM SPRINGS, LA (WAFB) - Last summer, Governor Bobby Jindal signed a law ordering public water systems to start adding fluoride to their water. Denham Springs was just about to go ahead with the fluoridation, but one councilman says he wants more info.
For years its been a controversial conversation - whether to add fluoride or not. But a dentist in Denham Springs says it's the most effective way to protect your pearly whites.
The water that falls from his tap is clean, clear and refreshing. Grade-A water, according to councilman John Wascom. "We provide good, safe, clean drinking water. We go down 2,300 feet below surface. We treat our water with chlorine and phosphates, so that it is pure clean water," says Wascom. He and the other Denham Springs council members are deciding whether or not to flavor their water with fluoride.
But Wascom says he needs more information because his research led him to negative news about fluoridation. "I'm appalled at using water as a vehicle for drugs. Fluoride is a corrosive poison," he reads from one of his findings.
In 2008, Act 761 was passed in the legislature's regular session. It states public water systems must operate and maintain levels of fluoride in the drinking water "for the purpose of protecting the dental health of this state."
Preventing cavities has been a priority for dentists since the early 1970's. Doctor Joseph Yale says treating the water with fluoride is likely to leave him with fewer cavities to fill. He says the best way to do that, is to deliver the dose through the drinking water.
"There's other areas of the country that have much lower rate of cavities as a whole, as far as the decay rate of children. In large part that is due to us not having a therapeutic amount of fluoride in our water," Yale says.
He says there was a time when there was too much fluoride in the water, but they've since discovered a safe therapeutic range. That range he says is seven parts per million. He says right now there is less than three parts per million in the water. According to Yale, the process is long overdue.
But for Wascom, he's somewhat skeptical. "Why are we doing this? Why are we mandated to do this?"
Water systems will not have to comply with the law if the state cannot find a source to fund the fluoridation program. Some systems will be allowed to opt out, but only if 15% of the voters sign a petition.

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