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City will return fluoride to water system

Sunday, January 18, 2009
By Mary Reeves

Chad Odeneal, an operator at the Shelbyville water plant, checks levels in the filtering tanks. The water leaves the tanks and goes to the 'clear well,' where fluoride would normally be added.
(T-G Photo by Mary Reeves)
[Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Any local dentist could tell you -- Shelbyville children are being neglected. Luckily, the neglect wasn't intentional nor was it permanent, and the long-term effects may not be anything more than a cavity or two.

For several months now, the water leaving the Shelbyville treatment plant has been leaving without fluoride, that secret ingredient of good dental health.

"What we ran into this year were equipment problems," said David Crowell, the general manager for Shelbyville Power and Water. "The fluoride was coming from China. We were not able to feed the right dosage, so we suspended the program rather than causing a health hazard."

Fluoride is derived from fluorine, the 13th most abundant element, which is released into the environment naturally in both water and air. According to the American Dental Health Society, "Good scientific evidence supports the use of community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride dental products for preventing tooth decay for both children and adults.

"Children and adults who are at low risk of dental decay can stay cavity-free through frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride. This is best gained by drinking fluoridated water and using a fluoride toothpaste twice daily."

While not mandated by law, fluoride has been added to public water supplies for more than 50 years.

"We are going to continue fluoridating the water," said Crowell. "Everybody thinks we've stopped and we're not going to start it back, but we are."

A grant is paying for the new equipment and its installation, and the water department found a domestic supplier of fluoride as well.

"The grant will pay 100 percent of all of the machinery," he said. "We're probably another month away from getting that installed and we should be back up and running with our fluoride."

Not everyone believes fluoride should be added to the water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, little more than half of the U.S population receives fluoridated water and there are several groups lobbying to have it removed completely.

"I would advise against fluoridation... Side-effects cannot be excluded ... In Sweden, the emphasis nowadays is to keep the environment as clean as possible with regard to pharmacologically active and, thus, potentially toxic substances," wrote Dr. Arvid Carlsson, co-winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2000, on a web site called nofluoride.com.

According to the American Dental Association, fluoride is most effective when it is applied topically -- via a fluoridated toothpaste -- and ingested, through water. But with more and more people drinking bottled water, some people are questioning the efficacy of fluoride in the water at all.

Crowell said he has never had a request to stop fluoridation.

"It's not mandatory," he said. "It's up to local water board and our board has confirmed that they want to continue adding fluoride. I've sat in on state meetings where both sides were presented. The dental association wants fluoride continued and the CDC says it's still a safe method of getting fluoride to children."

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Over 2,060 professionals urge the US Congress to stop water fluoridation until Congressional hearings are conducted, citing scientific evidence that fluoridation, long promoted to fight tooth decay, is ineffective and has serious health risks. See statement: http://www.fluorideaction.org/statement....

Also, 53 US cities rejected fluoridation this election day (Nov 4, 2008).

A Tennessee State legislator who is also an MD is urging all Tennessee Water Districts to stop fluoridation, reported a Tennessee newspaper on 11/29/08. At least 30 Tennessee water districts have already complied with his request.

On 1/5/09, the Burlington Board of Health recommended that Burlington cease fluoridation because fluoridation can harm some people.

On 1/6/09, a Canadian town, Drayton, stopped fluoridation, not to save money, but because it was in the best interests of residents, said the Mayor.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Canada's leading voice on environmental health issues, released a statement opposing fluoridation.

The National Kidney Foundation dropped its fluoridation support replacing it with this caution: "Individuals with CKD [Chronic Kidney Disease] should be notified of the potential risk of fluoride exposure."

Researchers reporting in the Oct 6 2007 British Medical Journal indicate that fluoridation never was proven safe or effective and may be unethical.

"A qualitative review of ...studies found a consistent and strong association between the exposure to fluoride and low IQ," concluded Tang el al., in "Fluoride and Children's Intelligence: A Meta-analysis" in Biological Trace Element Research (e-published 8/10/08)

Scientific American editors wrote in January 2008, "Some recent studies suggest that over-consumption of fluoride can raise the risks of disorders affecting teeth, bones, the brain and the thyroid gland"

Dr. A. K. Susheela, a leading fluoride expert, explains in a video why US physicians overlook fluoride as a possible cause of diseases commonly caused by fluoride. http://tinyurl.com/Susheela

An expert panel Health Canada commissioned to study the risks of fluoride exposure says the government should cut the recommended amount in drinking water, encourage the use of low-fluoride toothpaste by children and have makers of infant formula reduce levels in their products.

A 2006 National Research Council report revealed that fluoride, even at low levels added to water supplies, jeopardizes health. Ingested fluoride can damage kidney patients, bones, the thyroid gland, high water drinkers, and children's teeth. Further, the conclude that studies linking fluoride to cancer and lowered IQ are plausible. Three members of the NRC fluoride panel believe that fluoride levels in water should be as close to zero as possible.

As a result of the NRC report, the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control now advise that fluoridated water NOT be mixed into infant formula.

Cavity Crises in fluoridated areas: http://www.FluorideNews.Blogspot.com

More info: http://www.FluorideAction.Net

-- Posted by nyscof on Sun, Jan 18, 2009, at 5:13 AM

Also, 53 US cities rejected fluoridation this election day (Nov 4, 2008).

On 1/5/09, the Burlington Board of Health recommended that Burlington cease fluoridation because fluoridation can harm some people.

On 1/6/09, a Canadian town, Drayton, stopped fluoridation, not to save money, but because it was in the best interests of residents, said the Mayor.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Canada's leading voice on environmental health issues, released a statement opposing fluoridation.

Researchers reporting in the Oct 6 2007 British Medical Journal indicate that fluoridation never was proven safe or effective and may be unethical.

Dr. A. K. Susheela, a leading fluoride expert, explains in a video why US physicians overlook fluoride as a possible cause of diseases commonly caused by fluoride. http://tinyurl.com/Susheela

As a result of the NRC report, the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control now advise that fluoridated water NOT be mixed into infant formula.

Cavity Crises in fluoridated areas: http://www.FluorideNews.Blogspot.com

More info: http://www.FluorideAction.Net

-- Posted by nyscof on Sun, Jan 18, 2009, at 5:43 AM

Dental professionals when tested prove most do not understand the current fluoride science. Shocking but true they are not the go to people as the mostly repeat ADa talking points to avoid trouble with the trade union. They are sort of not open to sharing knowledge of risk of dental fluorosis. the last 2003-2004 CDC study showed 48.42% damaged but was never published. That is about half of all kids in fluoridated cities. Blacks getting double the really ugly moderate and severe which dentists try to blame on parents not supervising tooth brushing alowing too much fluoride swallowing. Too much on brush also. Just a very small pea size dab please and none for young kids. http://tinyurl.com/yoder or see http://tinyurl.com/susheela for the researcher that has documented many diseases caused by fluoride toxicity. India actually funds fluoride toxicity reseach as the US said the case was closed in 1950 when the first studies were half completed but total support was given before the results were in. It was a political decision. Now the science shows ingested fluoride has no measurable benefit but they do not mention this to the public. No researcher can show anything but some topical benefit--Lots of proof of ingested toxicity causing damage to teeth ,Kidneys, thyroid, Joints, hip fracture, osteosarcoma cancers and on and on. The NRC 2006 documents the risks also but the EPA has not yet looked or reviewed.

-- Posted by Jim Schultz on Sun, Jan 18, 2009, at 10:03 AM

http://www.orgsites.com/ny/ny/nyscof

http:www.fluorideaction.net

http://tiny.com/newsreleases

You must remember the h2SiF6 increases leaching of leads from brass with Washington DC being the poster child for total failure of the program when they addeed chloramines and had out of control lead levels and hid the truth from almost everyone for 2 years with off the meter lead leaching. They fired Seema Bhat who tried to notify the public and EPa and she later got back pay. The did not pay Marc Edwards the leading reacher on corrosion who documented their cause as he was warned to shut up or he would never work again. They designed new fake testing methods to hide the problems by flushing the nite before the real school test. By waiting a year to test kids blood levels after they gave them bottled water and do not drink orders--lead blood levels fall by 50% per month you delay a test.

http://www.dcwatch.com/wasa/040305h.htm The data showing risk is out there for those willing to read as this testimony shows in DC. By the way the fix with new copper attached to lead made the problem worse but they hid that also. orthophosphate can often make the problem less but in some waters and treatment processes it makes it worse. I have talked to people who have documented more lead with some of the so clled lead reducing phosphates or some brands. Some plants actually test the product before they expose the whole city. Washington DC took almost 3 years of knowing befire they told the public. Do you still want to trust Washington DC for honesty. The EPA Headquarters refused to drink the water long ago as congress. Many cities provide spring and bottled to the city hall where fluoridatred. They are not stupid you know.

-- Posted by Jim Schultz on Sun, Jan 18, 2009, at 10:22 AM

I don't think its very smart to be getting something from china to put in the drinking water. Glad I'm on well water.

-- Posted by greasemonkey on Sun, Jan 18, 2009, at 2:38 PM

Fluoride and water...no brainer.

http://www.healthywaterman.com/HealthyWa...

http://fluoridealert.org/communities.htm

-- Posted by waterdoug on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 8:35 AM

You are in the unique position of helping to stop a practice that has very clear adverse health effects, especially in children and at risk groups such as kidney and cancer patients.

I recommend that you look carefully at the scientific data and legal arguments at www.FluorideAlert.org then read the well researched work by Christopher Bryson, "The Fluoride Deception."

I personally have not found any of the arguments based upon scientific information or legality to be either confusing nor problematic. Everything points clearly toward the fact that fluoridation in the world MUST be stopped to protect the health of our citizens. Every day you will see more and more health professionals at the Fluoride Action Network signing on to a petition to end this outdated and risky practice. These are not simply activists, but doctors, nurses, and other degreed professionals who all understand the issue very clearly. One of our supporters, Dr. Arvid Carlson, is a scientist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for 2000. So, we aren't just a group of crazies shouting in the wilderness.

Most of Europe does not fluoridate, and you will find that statistics show their dental health to be comparable, if not better, to that of America. In fact, European governments use the simple argument that fluoridation is mass medication using a non-approved drug without measured dose or prescription and without monitoring by a licensed health professional. This one argument makes the practice illegal in every state in our Union.

In fact, the reasons for not using fluoride are so numerous, they can get a bit overwhelming at times.

My family and I ceased using fluoridated water and switched to distilled water over a year ago. Prior to that we had experienced about 25 years of "mysterious" medical symptoms for which my doctors could find no cause. Within one week of getting off our fluoridated city tap water, all of those symptoms faded. We've been free of any kind of problems, including the usual flu virus periods ever since. So, my experience is not only from study, but also from experience. It is estimated that approximately five percent of the population is particularly sensitive to very low doses of fluoride. It turns out that I am one of them. I would prefer to stay healthy, but there is so much fluoride in our foods and environment that I find it difficult to avoid it entirely.

I am sincerely encouraged after hearing that so many water utilities in Tennessee have decided not to fluoridate despite the continued support of fluoridation by a clueless Health Department. The true problems and solutions associated with dental heath in our nation revolve around diet and access to good dental services rather than depending upon a practice that is clearly outdated and so risky. I only wish our Council here in Davidson County had the wisdom to stop spreading this pollution by product all over our county.

My horses are on a farm not far from your city. Thank God they drink clean well water instead of tap water laced with toxic fluoride.

-- Posted by uncle jack on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 10:57 AM

H2SiF6 or the dry form is used in 90% of fluoridation because toxic waste is very cheap. Yes this comes directly from smokestack scrubbers the EPA ordered installed in 1970 to reduce the death and destruction downwind to catle and crops. Airborne fluorides had more lawsuits from 1957-1968 the the rest of the other 20 airborn cointaminates combined. They are some nasty deadly stuff and can etch windows at 1ppm in the air. By the way they put 1ppm in the water . Logical right.

They claim thousands of studies proving safety and benefit but refused to admit not one study ever until sworn testimony to congress in 2000 by Charles Fox EPA admitted not one yet. Non scheduled. Bait and switch is dishonest right. Seems to be ok for the government with toxic waste. NSF was set up as a testing agency byut they only measure the contaminates once a year at a plant. AWWA b703-06 is the standard for the product and they have a full page of contaminates if your city will give you the specification list. By law they must but most refuse. Mine did and banned me from city meetings not for behavior but for topic they did not want to talk about any more. Most answers are just policy statements and lists of endorsements. Primary research shows fluoridation near worhless for cavity reduction but great for enamel damage as the CDC hides so well. For as smart as they are dentists get almost all the facts wrong on ingested fluorides.

Most stopped using mercury almalgams years ago when they discovered they were damaged by higer exposure then the patients because of their every day exposure all day when they used mercury. Don't want to end a career early with hand tremors.

In my county only 8 of over 200 dentists are signed up for medicaid kids dental. They are already booked so accept no new patients. Some only accept them one day a week. We now have one public health dentist after years of none. 45,000 of 50,000 kids are underserved by the health departments own figures.

The Burt 2007 Detroit study showed almost 100% of 5 year olds with cavities. Cavities are increasing in most of the long fluoridated cites with kids already fluoride toxic with spotted discolored porous enamel for life. Blacks double the really ugly moderate and severe. Kids lack nutrition as soda and chips are right behind fluoridated water. No vegetables or fruit or dentist. This defies logic but somehow this is what we are told. You need more fluoride. Many kids are fluoride toxic drinking ZERO city water.

Rich kids drink all the fluoride free bottled water but their teeth are better in every state and DC show CDC data. Cavites show no relationship to fluoridation in a single state. Dr Bill Osmunson shows the data in his video mentioned above. We are being treated like chumps by people we trust. Trust less, research more. Look at the DATA and studies not claims without proof or current research.

-- Posted by Jim Schultz on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 2:43 PM

Poughkeepsie NY had this same problem so asked the health department some questions which they refused to answer because they were oral. They then asked a long list of very specific health and safety questions and 3 pages of the same for 33 chemical suppliers to show proof of safety and benefit for humans of the fluoridation chemicals they sell. After waiting a year with not one answer they voted to end 50 years of fluoridation last year with still no answers to date.

Port Huron Michigan had 20 dentists come to beg to keep fluoridation but not one cited current science. One sort of mentioned a study from the 60's but could not remember the city or specifics.Most anti fluoride people go loaded for bear with stacks of current science but are often laughed at because we are not dentists or doctors.

My sisters both teach poor kids and say after I mentioned what to look for they see it on most of the kids. Pizzo 2007 showed 51% of kids now have this damage looking at current research.. 2000 York review found 48% when fluoridated but 15% before fluoridation with 12.5% being ugly enough for cosmetic repairs. Very expensive out of pocket and causing dental incomes to soar past doctors working far fewer hours. Blind luck I guess. Canada admits dental fluorosis costs more to repair the the claimed decrease in cavities would save said the Leading researcher Dr. Hardy Limeback. Your dentist is playing Russian Roulet with your kids health without informed consent af any risk as they say everyone benefits and safe for all.

They also said lead and asbestoes and DDT were very safe for 50 years. Smoking also has the same problems when they all had cancer and addiction proof.

Why would 19 EPA unions claim fraud and altered documents and akd for immediate moratorium and goal of ZERO just like arsenic and lead?

-- Posted by Jim Schultz on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 3:09 PM

Fluoride wasnt added just for teeth. It helps stave off and limit the growth of certain bacteria.

-- Posted by BenL on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 4:03 PM