USA - Plant City stands by plan to fluoridate

Plant City stands by plan to fluoridate
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
October 21, 2011
By Stephanie Wang
Times Staff Writer
PLANT CITY - For the last few months, politicians have stirred controversy as they considered halting water fluoridation in parts of Pinellas County.
But on this side of the bay, Plant City officials have quietly taken an opposite tack: By next fall, they say, fluoride will be added to drinking water for the first time.
"I felt that if we were going to do it, now would be the time to do it," said Plant City Mayor Dan Raulerson.
With a boost from a state grant that will cover start-up expenses, Plant City commissioners approved the project in June to install fluoridation systems in four city water plants. Not swayed by claims that fluoride is toxic or causes serious health conditions, Raulerson said this is a measure the city needs to strengthen residents' teeth and promote dental health.

Pumped-in chemicals will nearly double the fluoride levels that occur naturally in city water, from .4 milligrams per liter to closer to the state's optimal concentration of .8 milligrams per liter.............