2008 Woodie Awards
Should Orange County Fluoridate its Water?
Point/Counterpoint
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Opinion
Summer Rogers
The city of Brea's water supplier, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, said it will begin adding fluoride to Brea's water supply in October.
However, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
Although adding fluoride to the water sounds like a good idea, studies have proven otherwise. Long-term exposure to fluoride can cause the beginning stages of skeletal fluorosis. Years of digesting fluoride can cause symptoms such as pains in the bones and joints, a sensation of burning, pricking or tingling in the limbs and chronic fatigue. Fluoride is a cumulative poison and very few healthcare practitioners can diagnose fluoride poisoning because they aren't trained to test or recognize the effects.
A study done by the Department of Health in New Jersey found that bone cancer in male children was between two and seven times greater in areas where the water was fluoridated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirmed the bone cancer-causing effects of fluoride at low levels in animal test subjects.
There may be good intentions behind putting fluoride in the Brea water supply, such as what The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California posted on their Web site, "fluoridated water cuts costs across socioeconomic dividers offering everyone equal health benefits."
However, it seems an ineffective good intention if the side effects of fluoride water are worse than the benefits.
I believe the benefits of fluoridated water are vastly outweighed by the symptoms and side effects caused by fluoride poisoning.
Is it truly worth risking an entire city's health just for whiter teeth?
Jarrod Moore
So the Metro-politan Water District wants to throw an ounce of fluoride into Orange County's drinking water, and everybody's got their butts in a twist.
But maybe a little fluoride could actually be good for the ol' chompers.
According to the American Dental Association, it only costs a dollar a year per household to fluoridate the water, so there's no real financial issue. Oh, wait, there is: the ADA also says the $1 estimated annual fee would add up to $38 annual savings from dental appointments. So, for all the "Damn the man" conspiracy theorists, who's winning? Stop whining, and drink some water. Those pearly whites just may just score a little discount on your drunken late-night debauchery with Candy the 'tute.
The city of Brea's water supplier, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, said it will begin adding fluoride to Brea's water supply in October.
However, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
Although adding fluoride to the water sounds like a good idea, studies have proven otherwise. Long-term exposure to fluoride can cause the beginning stages of skeletal fluorosis. Years of digesting fluoride can cause symptoms such as pains in the bones and joints, a sensation of burning, pricking or tingling in the limbs and chronic fatigue. Fluoride is a cumulative poison and very few healthcare practitioners can diagnose fluoride poisoning because they aren't trained to test or recognize the effects.
A study done by the Department of Health in New Jersey found that bone cancer in male children was between two and seven times greater in areas where the water was fluoridated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirmed the bone cancer-causing effects of fluoride at low levels in animal test subjects.
There may be good intentions behind putting fluoride in the Brea water supply, such as what The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California posted on their Web site, "fluoridated water cuts costs across socioeconomic dividers offering everyone equal health benefits."
However, it seems an ineffective good intention if the side effects of fluoride water are worse than the benefits.
I believe the benefits of fluoridated water are vastly outweighed by the symptoms and side effects caused by fluoride poisoning.
Is it truly worth risking an entire city's health just for whiter teeth?
Jarrod Moore
So the Metro-politan Water District wants to throw an ounce of fluoride into Orange County's drinking water, and everybody's got their butts in a twist.
But maybe a little fluoride could actually be good for the ol' chompers.
According to the American Dental Association, it only costs a dollar a year per household to fluoridate the water, so there's no real financial issue. Oh, wait, there is: the ADA also says the $1 estimated annual fee would add up to $38 annual savings from dental appointments. So, for all the "Damn the man" conspiracy theorists, who's winning? Stop whining, and drink some water. Those pearly whites just may just score a little discount on your drunken late-night debauchery with Candy the 'tute.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
Fluoride Action Network
posted 10/04/07 @ 12:43 AM PST
End Fluoridation say 900+ Professionals
New York - In a statement released August 9, 2007, over 600 (now 900)dentists, physicians, scientists and environmentalists urge Congress to stop water fluoridation until Congressional hearings are conducted. (Continued…)
randy
posted 10/04/07 @ 6:17 AM PST
its not about teeth its about money
hardy limeback
posted 10/04/07 @ 8:05 AM PST
Dental decay is low in non-fluoridated US (18 year olds have about 5 cavities/fillings on average). Max reduction in tooth decay after a lifetime of fluoridation for an 18 yr. (Continued…)
Anita Knight
posted 10/05/07 @ 7:34 PM PST
All the questions can be answered simply. Call the utilities department, request the American Water Works Association (AWWA Standard for Fluorosilicic Acid B703-06. (Continued…)
NYSCOF
posted 10/06/07 @ 4:04 AM PST
The British Medical Journal reports
that the government glosses over fluoride's uncertainties and uses inadequate evidence to promote fluoridation. "evidence on the potential benefits and harms of adding fluoride to water is relatively poor," write prominent British researchers. (Continued…)
Jason
posted 10/06/07 @ 7:31 AM PST
"Fluoride causes a handful of long-term deadly diseases...but it is good for your teeth. Looks like the pros outweigh the cons!"
And the analogy of "too many nose jobs can be bad for you" is possibly the worst I've read in years. (Continued…)
Loretta
posted 11/09/07 @ 6:22 AM PST
Absolutely not! Fluoride is already in many juices and cereals. So how is anyone suppose to monitor how much fluoride they are taking in, not to mention fluoride absorbs in fruits and veggies. (Continued…)
Post a Comment