USA - City to study lowering fluoridation level

Politicians on the civic works committee recommended staff report back on lowering the rate of water fluoridation in the city’s water supply after a lengthy series of presentations about the benefits and perceived dangers of the practice, a debate that re-emerges often in council chambers when anti-fluoridation Londoners raise their voices.

But this time, Coun. Shawn Lewis offered  a motion to investigate reducing the level of fluoride in the water, from 0.7 parts per million – as recommended by Health Canada – to 0.6 parts per million, to acknowledge the concerns raised Tuesday. Those arguments included a strange demonstration from Michael van Holst, who brought 100,000 cinnamon hearts in plastic bins in a bid to demonstrate how the level of fluoride in toothpaste vastly outweighs the level in drinking water.

The region’s top public health officer, Chris Mackie, said a rate of 0.6 parts per million is used in some communities and has “some scientific support.”

The committee voted 4-2 to recommend staff report on reducing fluoridation. Lewis, van Holst, Elizabeth Peloza, and Phil Squire voted in favour, while Mayor Ed Holder and Steve Lehman were opposed.