USA - Citizens raise concerns about fluoride

By ANDREW DENNEY
Sunday, December 16, 2012

Columbia is joining a long list of U.S. cities taking another look at the decades-old practice of adding fluoride to public drinking water.

It's a debate that has resurfaced from time to time across the country over the past several decades. In recent years, the practice has come under fresh scrutiny from activists armedwith research challenging the government's claim that ingesting fluoride is a safe way to control tooth decay. Among the studies are some linking excessive fluoride intake with adverse effects on public health, such as an increased likelihood of bone fractures or linking the ingestion of fluoridated water to lower IQ among children.

Prompted by a group of residents who have been publicly calling for an end to fluoridation, the Columbia City Council has asked the Columbia Board of Health to research the issue and make a recommendation.

"It warrants a second look to see if ingesting fluoride is really the best way to go at this," said Sixth Ward Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe, who drinks bottled water that does not contain fluoride.....................