USA - Ford City will flush fluoride out of its drinking water

Ford City will stop adding fluoride to its drinking water when its water plant being built next year goes into service.

“This is a matter of removing a poison,” said Borough Manager Eden Ratliff. “And it's about the government not forcibly medicating our population.”

The American Dental Association endorses fluoridation as safe, effective and necessary for preventing tooth decay, but fluoride opponents say the chemical causes a range of health problems — from cancer to tooth enamel defects.

Ford City resident Marc Perella, who is among those opponents, was at the Monday meeting when council voted to eliminate fluoride from its water supply after broaching the subject several times in the past three years.

“I'm very happy. I believe we should have a choice whether we have fluoride in our water or not, and right now I don't,” Perella said. “I've got young kids. I don't think they should be drinking fluoride.”

Council agreed with that sentiment, voting 5-0 to remove the chemical it has added to its water for more than 60 years. Councilman Gene Banks was absent from the meeting.

“The question has become why? Why are we doing this?” said Council Vice President Jerry Miklos. “It's absolutely absurd in my opinion.”