USA - Speakers spar over fluoride at Port Angeles forum
Paul Gottlieb/Peninsula Daily News
Fluoridation opponent Judi Hangartner of Port Angeles hands back a microphone at a fluoridation forum Thursday at Port Angeles City Hall while an onlooker silently signals her approval by fluttering her hands, which the packed audience was asked to do to avoid disruptions.
PORT ANGELES — Health care professionals and local residents took part in a lengthy battle over fluoridation of city water at a special City Council forum.
More than 60 speakers expounded for three minutes each Thursday night in the packed City Council chambers, commenting on the positives and negatives of continuing the 10-year practice of adding fluorosilicic acid to a water system that serves 10,000 households and businesses.
The forum, moderated by Nancy Esteb of the Clallam County League of Women Voters, imposed a rule that no clapping was allowed, saying it was to ensure decorum and speed the meeting along.
Showed approval
But the more than 100 opponents and proponents who overflowed the council chambers were allowed to raise their arms and flutter their hands in approval for speakers who mostly alternated in a for-and-against procession to the podium.
“It gives the audience a way to communicate to the council that they like someone's comments without making noise,” Esteb said Friday.
“It gives someone a way to express themselves without being disruptive.”
Dentists and other health care workers, who outnumbered fluoridation foes 38 to 25, focused on the effectiveness of fluoridation in fighting tooth decay and other maladies related to dental disease, especially among children whose parents don't obtain fluoride in other forms.
“It feels to most medical officials that this is an issue that died 50 years ago,” said Dr. Chris Frank, Clallam County public health officer.
“This is safe and effective intervention,” Frank said, contending “major harm” would result from stopping fluoridation.
Opponents said pro-fluoridation data was flawed, that the practice causes mass fluorosis — which discolors teeth — among teenagers and contributes to other health problems in adults.................
More than 60 speakers expounded for three minutes each Thursday night in the packed City Council chambers, commenting on the positives and negatives of continuing the 10-year practice of adding fluorosilicic acid to a water system that serves 10,000 households and businesses.
The forum, moderated by Nancy Esteb of the Clallam County League of Women Voters, imposed a rule that no clapping was allowed, saying it was to ensure decorum and speed the meeting along.
Showed approval
But the more than 100 opponents and proponents who overflowed the council chambers were allowed to raise their arms and flutter their hands in approval for speakers who mostly alternated in a for-and-against procession to the podium.
“It gives the audience a way to communicate to the council that they like someone's comments without making noise,” Esteb said Friday.
“It gives someone a way to express themselves without being disruptive.”
Dentists and other health care workers, who outnumbered fluoridation foes 38 to 25, focused on the effectiveness of fluoridation in fighting tooth decay and other maladies related to dental disease, especially among children whose parents don't obtain fluoride in other forms.
“It feels to most medical officials that this is an issue that died 50 years ago,” said Dr. Chris Frank, Clallam County public health officer.
“This is safe and effective intervention,” Frank said, contending “major harm” would result from stopping fluoridation.
Opponents said pro-fluoridation data was flawed, that the practice causes mass fluorosis — which discolors teeth — among teenagers and contributes to other health problems in adults.................
posted by Bill at
9:23 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home