Floyd wrote on Aug 1, 2007 12:48 AM:My lawn doesn't worry about tooth decay because grass doesn't have teeth! Neither do my shrubs and plants! Flouridating the water won't help them and might hurt them. Bad idea.

NYSCOF wrote on Aug 1, 2007 3:58 AM:Fluoridation Causes More Harm Than Good, Studies Show New York - May 2007 - Contrary to belief, fluoridation is damaging teeth with little cavity reduction, according to a review of recent studies reported in Clinical Oral Investigations.(1) Fluoride chemicals are added to 2/3 of U.S. water supplies in an attempt to reduce tooth decay and is in virtually 100% of the food supply. Yet, the Centers for Disease Control reports cavities are rising in our most fluoridated generation - toddlers. (1a) Pizzo and colleagues reviewed English-language fluoridation studiespublished from January 2001 to June 2006 and write, "Several epidemiological studies conducted in fluoridated and non-fluoridatedcommunities suggest that [fluoridation] may be unnecessary for caries prevention..." They also report that fluoride-damaged teeth spiked upwards to 51% from the 10-12% found over 60 years ago in "optimally" fluoridated communities. Dental fluorosis is white-spotted, yellow, brown-stained and/or pitted teeth. Fluoridation began in 1945 when dentists thought that ingested fluoride incorporated into children's developing tooth enamel to prevent cavities. However, Pizzo's group reports that fluoride ingestion confers little, if any, benefit and fails to reduce oral health disparities in low-income Americans. Also, any difference in fluoride tooth enamel surface concentration between fluoridated and low-fluoridated areas is minimal. And the relationship between higher enamel fluoride levels to less tooth decay was not found. "Some risk of increasing fluorosis may be attributed to the ingestion of powdered infant formula reconstituted with fluoridated water... [and] foods and beverages processed in fluoridated areas... Furthermore, the use of dietary fluoride supplements during the first 6 years of life is associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing fluorosis," they write. Lawyer Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation says, "Recent news reports claiming fluoride-free bottled water caused the cavity increase trends in toddlers are implausible because rising fluorosis rates clearly indicate that children are over- fluoridated, not under-fluoridated." "There's no dispute that too much fluoride damages teeth, actually making them more decay-prone. Research is indicated to see if fluoride is causing the cavity escalation," says Beeber. Some studies Pizzo reviewed focused on communities that stopped water fluoridation. "...after the cessation, caries prevalence did not rise, remained almost the same or even decreased further," writes Pizzo's group. "In most European countries, where [water fluoridation] has never been adopted, a substantial decline [75%] in caries prevalence has been reported in the last decades," they report. To avoid dental fluorosis, the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control advise against mixing concentrated infant formulas with fluoridated water. "Fluoride is bone- and health-damaging as well," says Beeber. In 1999, researchers found that children in Connersville, Indiana, (2) consumed over recommended levels of fluoride even though their water supply wasn't fluoridated. Organized dentistry still successfully instigated fluoridation and the American Dental Association (3) bragged about it, carelessly putting more children at risk of developing dental fluorosis. References: 1) "Community Water Fluoridation and Caries Prevention: A Critical Review," Clinical Oral Investigations, by Giuseppe Pizzo & Maria R. Piscopo & Ignazio Pizzo & Giovanna Giuliana 2007 Feb 27; [Epub ahead of print] http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/chris/Pizzo-2007.pdf 1a) http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_248.pdf 2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10403089&dopt=Abstract 3) http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/us_fluoridation.pdf

Angry wrote on Aug 1, 2007 4:11 AM:What right do politicians have to make decisions involving medicating our water supplies? I live in Escondido and I have no trust in those who are pro-flouride. I object to having these important decisions made by people whose motives I don't respect. This whole water issue needs closer examination.

jean wrote on Aug 1, 2007 8:53 AM:I just apoke with the author of this article, well-meaning though he was, he was not very informed regarding the dangers of fluoride-I recommended to him to list Christopher " if he writes another article-as the mother of a child who recently died of bone cancer, I learned alot about fluoride, how destructive it is to health and why the government is always pushing it on us-The six month period when my daughter was dx with bone cancer, there were 5 others in our county also dx-statistically there should have been less than 1 case-bone cancer in children has increased 40% in the past decade, which points to pollution, not genes. The Europeans had banned fluoride over 10 years ago because it is so detrimental to human health-I don't imagine that their science is less accurate than ours. It is time to stop this very bad practice-Chemical companies should have to pay for the disposal of their waste, not foist it on an unsuspecting public.

Anita wrote on Aug 1, 2007 8:49 PM:Everyone there should contact the local city/county health department and request the American Water Works Association standard for the type fluoridation agent to be used there. The foreword gives source and process evolving the agents and notes concerns for the 'contaminants' in the commercial grade agent. There is an entire page of contaminants. Dental products as toothpastes are pharmaceutical grade, yet FDA requires them to put warnings on label not to swallow even a pea-size amount or call Poison Control immediately. Buyer Beware!!

willis wrote on Aug 2, 2007 8:04 AM:The British don't fluoridate their water, so bring it on.

Jason wrote on Aug 2, 2007 7:13 PM:"Proponents say there are no documented cases of harmful side effects." And a spokesperson from McDonald's says that fast food is healthy. No one has the right to medicate the water. If such a right was granted to someone in the Constitution that I wasn't aware of, I'd like to see it.

John B. wrote on Aug 3, 2007 9:50 AM:Its a Commie plot! Them dam liberal socialists at MET are trying to poison us!

Gretchen A wrote on Aug 5, 2007 11:38 AM:Are you people nuts? Regardless of what fluoride may or may not do to teeth (experts disagree), like any medication it has side effects and does damage other organs of the human body. View [Web site] for sources of valid scientific research on water fluoridation. What is added to water should be to treat the water, not to treat people. No country that values freedom should mass medicate people even if they do believe (erroneously) that the medication is helpful!

Still Angry wrote on Aug 6, 2007 3:29 AM:My father and his sister both died of bone cancer in an area of upstate N.Y. where the water has been fluoridated for decades. We even had regular fluoridation of our teeth in the public schools. They would swab the stuff on and tell us not to swallow. It tasted awful. Is there a connection? I don't know but shouldn't someone do an Erin Brokovich type of investigation on this? I believe the issue is more about money than health. Yes I'm angry.

Randy wrote on Aug 8, 2007 8:53 AM:If people don't want to drink the water because of fluoride in the water that is their right. Drink bottled water. You have the right not to drink from the tap, but think about this. Tap water is more regulated than bottle water. Some bottle water suppliers have announce that they will be fluoridating their water. Also where do most bottle water companies get the water to fill their bottles? The tap. Their are a lot of people who don't understand that some trace amounts of chemicals are needed for the overall health and well being of the people as a whole. That is why the water is regulated and monitored. What would happen if we didn't put chlorine in the water to kill the harmful bacteria do you think that these same people would complain about the water killing people. I would, but we put chlorine in the water to prevent this. Fluoride helps improve cavity prevention in people. There are places in this country that have high levels of fluoride in the water and the places that don't have fluoride in the water. This is why tap water is so regulated - to much fluoride discolors the teeth and health issues (neededs to be removed to proper level), to little causes cavities (needs to be brought up to the proper level). I have worked in a water treatment plant for 29 years and rise my kids on the tap water with no flouride related problems. Like I said you have a choice don't drink it if you don't want it, but my grass is still green and growing well.

Abemore wrote on Aug 9, 2007 1:53 AM:http://www.sandiego.gov/water/quality/index.shtml ...Our water already has a natural flouride contamination of 0.2 ppm. Our toothpaste contains loads of flouride. 95% of European countries have rejected adding this poison to their water. Why are we made to drink something that is supposed to go on our teeth? Flouride is only slightly less toxic than arsnic. Where can we go to protest this?

Sheila wrote on Aug 10, 2007 5:17 PM:MANY SCIENTISTS OPPOSE FLUORIDATION The EPA’s Headquarters Union of Scientists (consisting of 1500 professional people), after thoroughly investigating the pros and cons of fluoridation, reported that their conclusions were that the public water supply should not be used “as a vehicle for disseminating this toxic and prophylactically useless (via ingestion, at any rate) substance.” They also said that “recent, peer-reviewed toxicity data, when applied to EPA’s standard method for controlling risks from toxic chemicals, require an immediate halt to the use of the nation’s drinking water reservoirs as disposal sites for the toxic waste of the phosphate fertilizer industry.” They reported, on 7/2/97, that their “review of the body of evidence over the last eleven years, including animal and human epidemiology studies, indicate a causal link between fluoride/fluoridation and cancer, genetic damage, neurological impairment, and bone pathology. Of particular concern were recent epidemiology studies linking fluoride exposure to lowered IQ in children.” These people gain nothing by reporting these findings (other than ridicule by the fluoride promoters). What if they are right? How can anyone feel it is worth the gamble?

Daniel wrote on Aug 11, 2007 3:06 PM:If there is ANY question about how safe fluoride is, (and there is), they should not be testing it on us. THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN.

Donna wrote on Aug 12, 2007 6:15 PM:I am LIVID and vehemently opposed to the Metropolitan Water Board's decision to floridate our drinking water! To the board members: please know that you are agregiously misrepresenting the best interests of your customers. How can you risk the health and lives not just of this generation, but the lives of many generations to come who depend on life-sustaining water to live? I have read article after article from Europe, the World Health Organization, and our own American Dental Association warning that long-term cumulative effects of floridation poisoning is a major concern. Please STOP this maddess before it is too late!

Sylvia P. wrote on Aug 16, 2007 3:53 PM:NO PROOF FLORIDATION IS SAFE OR EFFECTIVE! A letter from the EDA on Aug. 15, 1963 states, "Sodium floride used for therapeutic effect would be a drug, not a mineral nutrient. Floride has not been determined essential to human nutrition. Above 2 milligrams per day of total intake of florides can cause tooth mottling in sensitive persons. It would be impossible to state a safe amount for supplementation by an individual without knowledge of the amount of floride already being consumed ;by him from such sources as drinking water and food grown in soils that are rich in fluorides. Today thsse variables aren't even considered before adding fluoride to the water. As a result some people in floridated communities are receiving up to six times the suggested dosage, and many children in non-fluoridated areas are already receiving an overdose. After thoroughly investigating the fluoride issue, John V. Kelly, New Jersey Assemblyman,in a letter dated June 3, 1993 said the following. "////the Food and Drug Administration Office of Pr;escription Drug Complianceas confirmed, to my surprise, that there are no studies to demonstrate either the safety or effectiveness of these (floride) drugs, which FDA classifies as of unapproved new drugs." Have you read the poison label on your fluoride-containing toothpaste.

Cathy wrote on Aug 16, 2007 9:29 PM:Why in the world would any one want to put fluoride in our water??? Follow the money trail. Who wants to not pay for depositing toxic waste in the "costly" proper way.

DISGUSTED wrote on Aug 17, 2007 12:09 PM:Floride being added "at the request of the medical and dental health communities" ------ I can guarantee there are many in that broad community group who are against this action. People who have researched, experienced, and believe the real facts about floride know better than to commit this destructive, criminal action of forcing a poison on all simply because the majority doesn't care about the hazzards of floride or are motivated by political/ commercial interests. Isn't it about time the REAL health promoters who truly care about the health of people have a voice in this? If they're in the minority, it won't be the first time when the knowing minority got ignored. STOP DUMPING TOXICS IN OUR WATER.

Faithful Water Guy wrote on Aug 19, 2007 6:38 AM:Based on my observations of utilities that do fluoridate, everyone has good cause to be deeply concerned. The affects of this process chemical upon structural steel, concrete and process equipment are amazingly destructive. The form of fluoride that most systems utilize is a synthesized byproduct derived of industrial fertilizer producton, which also happens to be saturated with other toxic chemicals listed by the EPA as a regulated contaminants in drinking water. If the target population is between the ages of 5 and 13 years, where do today's kids go when they get thirsty - the sink or the refrigerator? The theraputic index here is so miniscule as to be non-existent.

BigAl wrote on Sep 9, 2007 11:31 AM:I will NOT drink fluoridated water! Fluoride is a by product of aluminum. Aluminum industry is behind this. Aluminum industry basically disposes of their by-product by adding it to our water supplies. The dumbed down American public of course, buys the lies about fluoride being good for you, when it is essentially rat poison. Buy a berkey light gravity filter immediately! The ONLY filter that will free your drinking water of all chemicals and metals. Shame on SoCal municipalities, and council members who are too ignorant to know the harm of poisoning our water.

Suzanne A. wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:28 PM:This is appalling, why put industrial by products into our water supply. It contains arsenic and lead. It is not the natural calcium fluoride but a corosive type that causes weakening of the teeth,fluorosis, literally brown spots and holes. It also causes arthritis and many types of cancer. I have been in remission of cancer do you think I want another type, and oh yes I have degenerative bone decease, do you think I want more pain. They are deceiving us. So why in the World our we putting it in our water! There have been countries that are banning this in Europe, this is where they discovered it during the World War, is this still their cold world War tactics?

Suzanne A. wrote on Sep 18, 2007 6:33 PM:This is appalling, why put industrial by products into our water supply. It contains arsenic and lead. It is not the natural calcium fluoride but a corosive type that causes weakening of the teeth, fluorosis, literally brown spots and holes. It also causes arthritis and many types of cancer. I have been in remission of cancer do you think I want another type, and oh yes I have degenerative bone decease, do you think I want more pain. They are deceiving us. So why in the World our we putting it in our water! There have been countries that are banning this in Europe, this is where they discovered it during the World War, is this still their cold world War tactics?

Stephanie wrote on Oct 9, 2007 1:13 PM:We all are at the mercy of the corporations, health companies and all the corrupt money hungry political parties that are controlling what goes into out food and drinking water. They are poisoning us. Period. All to make us sicker so they can reap the benefits of health costs. IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE! There is no reason to add fluoride to the water. But who is in charge of this? Health officials who are making billions off us being sick! With all the pesticides, hormones, and added chemicals and toxins "they" are putting in our food and water it's no wonder cancer and disease rates are at their highest. ITS ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY TO BE MADE. I am furious and not going to stand for this.. we must all speak up!!

Phil wrote on Oct 10, 2007 11:32 PM:Water Fluoridation is mandated by state law. You must contact your state representative AND the governor's office to complain about this because your local water company and the MWD have already begun the fluoridation process. Do the research - learn about fluoride effects on the brain, bones, teeth, and organs, and you would be crazy to drink the stuff. It is very dangerous for everyone in the long term.-

Brenda wrote on Nov 4, 2007 4:48 AM:Governor Schwarzenegger, protect us and your own family from fluoride posioning of the water supply in southern california!

CLEANER wrote on Mar 26, 2008 11:20 PM:OMG OMG GOSSIP TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gertrude wrote on Apr 15, 2008 11:49 AM:why even comment?

SidewinderFF wrote on Apr 26, 2008 7:34 PM:W A K E U P A M E R I C A N S, I'm sounding the alarm, we have to S T O P them in their tracks. Call your CongressWoman Mrs. Waters or Congress Woman Mrs. Lee and sound the alarm with me STOP PUTTING POISON'S IN OUR WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!