Canada - Water fluoridation critics accused of using scare tactics
Water fluoridation critics accused of using scare tactics
By Jeff Outhit, Record staff
WATERLOO — Opponents of water fluoridation are distributing misleading information intended to scare people, says the next president of the Ontario Dental Association.
Dr. Harry Hoediono is critical of a brochure urging Waterloo residents to vote no to fluoridation in the Oct. 25 referendum. It states residents are drinking and swallowing an acid that’s added to drinking water.
“It doesn’t provide correct scientific information,” said Hoediono, a Waterloo resident who practises dentistry in Kitchener. “To a degree, it was really fearmongering.”
He explains that when the chemical hydrofluorosilicic acid is added to tap water, a reaction occurs and the chemical breaks apart to fluoridate the water. It is therefore not present for anyone to drink or swallow.
“That is scientific fact. And it’s empirical. In fact, it’s basic chemistry,” Hoediono said.
Chemical engineering professor Bill Anderson agrees “it’s against all known chemistry” for residents to be drinking the acid in tap water.
That’s because when the chemical is added to water “the product of the reaction is fluoride,” he explains.
“As far as the chemical literature shows, the reaction is complete under normal drinking water conditions.”
Antifluoridation activist Robert Fleming defends the brochure. “I don’t see anything wrong with it,” he said. “That’s what we are putting in the water to fluoridate our water.”
He’s concerned about impurities in the additive, which is a byproduct of fertilizer production.
The chemical used to fluoridate tap water is certified safe by an international agency that reviews water additives. Authorities contend its impurities are so small they pose no hazard.
Water is commonly fluoridated in Ontario to reduce cavities. Critics argue it’s unsafe and unnecessary but the public health department and other health organizations endorse it.
Waterloo is the only local city to fluoridate its drinking water, which also goes to Elmira and St. Jacobs. Waterloo residents have twice endorsed fluoridation in referendums.
Hoediono assumes presidency of the dental association next year. He debated fluoridation in June and said dentists will promote it at a public event Oct. 21.
Critics of fluoridation are expected to participate in two other public events, this month and next. The first is Thursday, Sept. 16 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Room 200 at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.
jouthit@therecord.com
By Jeff Outhit, Record staff
WATERLOO — Opponents of water fluoridation are distributing misleading information intended to scare people, says the next president of the Ontario Dental Association.
Dr. Harry Hoediono is critical of a brochure urging Waterloo residents to vote no to fluoridation in the Oct. 25 referendum. It states residents are drinking and swallowing an acid that’s added to drinking water.
“It doesn’t provide correct scientific information,” said Hoediono, a Waterloo resident who practises dentistry in Kitchener. “To a degree, it was really fearmongering.”
He explains that when the chemical hydrofluorosilicic acid is added to tap water, a reaction occurs and the chemical breaks apart to fluoridate the water. It is therefore not present for anyone to drink or swallow.
“That is scientific fact. And it’s empirical. In fact, it’s basic chemistry,” Hoediono said.
Chemical engineering professor Bill Anderson agrees “it’s against all known chemistry” for residents to be drinking the acid in tap water.
That’s because when the chemical is added to water “the product of the reaction is fluoride,” he explains.
“As far as the chemical literature shows, the reaction is complete under normal drinking water conditions.”
Antifluoridation activist Robert Fleming defends the brochure. “I don’t see anything wrong with it,” he said. “That’s what we are putting in the water to fluoridate our water.”
He’s concerned about impurities in the additive, which is a byproduct of fertilizer production.
The chemical used to fluoridate tap water is certified safe by an international agency that reviews water additives. Authorities contend its impurities are so small they pose no hazard.
Water is commonly fluoridated in Ontario to reduce cavities. Critics argue it’s unsafe and unnecessary but the public health department and other health organizations endorse it.
Waterloo is the only local city to fluoridate its drinking water, which also goes to Elmira and St. Jacobs. Waterloo residents have twice endorsed fluoridation in referendums.
Hoediono assumes presidency of the dental association next year. He debated fluoridation in June and said dentists will promote it at a public event Oct. 21.
Critics of fluoridation are expected to participate in two other public events, this month and next. The first is Thursday, Sept. 16 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Room 200 at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.
jouthit@therecord.com
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