Canada - Council poised to scrap fluoride
Council poised to scrap fluoride
Monday's water motion expected to get enough votes
By Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald January 5, 2011 1:05 AM
A movement to remove fluoride from Calgary's drinking water supply has a majority of city council behind it, the Herald has learned.
The question over fluoridation of tap water has been subject to council verdicts and plebiscites repeatedly over the past five decades, including a decisive 1989 vote that finally saw the additive put into city water two years later.
Ald. Druh Farrell says her motion to scrap fluoride treatment -- which will go to council Monday -- has the support of at least nine other aldermen on the 15-member council.
"I think it's inevitable," said Farrell, whose similar bid before the last election narrowly lost.
"There are so many other ways to get fluoride, putting it in the water system no longer seems prudent."
If council votes in favour of the motion, the decision would not need to go to plebiscite, but would still require Alberta Environment approval.
The debate has long stirred back-and-forth passionate arguments from the medical community and anti-fluoride activists.
The Canadian Dental Association and health ministries and organizations across the country have repeatedly determined that it helps prevent tooth decay.
They've refuted accusations that exposure at the low levels in the water supply causes adverse health effects, such as weakened bones or cancer.
Calgary's water supply is treated with 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per litre, a level lowered from one milligram in 1998 based on an experts' panel...........
Monday's water motion expected to get enough votes
By Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald January 5, 2011 1:05 AM
A movement to remove fluoride from Calgary's drinking water supply has a majority of city council behind it, the Herald has learned.
The question over fluoridation of tap water has been subject to council verdicts and plebiscites repeatedly over the past five decades, including a decisive 1989 vote that finally saw the additive put into city water two years later.
Ald. Druh Farrell says her motion to scrap fluoride treatment -- which will go to council Monday -- has the support of at least nine other aldermen on the 15-member council.
"I think it's inevitable," said Farrell, whose similar bid before the last election narrowly lost.
"There are so many other ways to get fluoride, putting it in the water system no longer seems prudent."
If council votes in favour of the motion, the decision would not need to go to plebiscite, but would still require Alberta Environment approval.
The debate has long stirred back-and-forth passionate arguments from the medical community and anti-fluoride activists.
The Canadian Dental Association and health ministries and organizations across the country have repeatedly determined that it helps prevent tooth decay.
They've refuted accusations that exposure at the low levels in the water supply causes adverse health effects, such as weakened bones or cancer.
Calgary's water supply is treated with 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per litre, a level lowered from one milligram in 1998 based on an experts' panel...........
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