FAN Bulletin 823

June 29, 2007

Dear All,

Three items:

Letter from Alaska
Cumbrian opponents go on-line
Quiet Victory in Alabama

Paul Connett

PS Yesterday we saw a small surge in the numbers of people viewing the video “The Fluoride Deception” probably as a result of the plug in Dr.Mercola’s emailed newsletter. June 27 had 547 viewings; June 28, 1,018 viewings.

Letter from Juneau, Alaska

In this letter Dr. Emily Kane decries the fact that the American Dental Association is trying to overthrow the decision of Juneau council to stop fluoridation, despite the two year research into the matter by the committee on which she sat. See other stories at Latest news at http://www.FluorideAction.net

Juneau Empire
Wednesday 27 June 2007

Letters to the Editor

Study fluoride before signing ballot petition

Several dentists and public health workers are attempting, with American Dental Association funding, to gather the 2,000 signatures needed to put the fluoride issue on a ballot in October. While I believe that the citizens of Juneau would step up and vote the right way- to keep our water uncontaminated - as a member of the mayor’s fluoride commission who gave up many nights to research and meet on the issue of fluoridation, it makes me groan to think about going through this again.

Six members of the community, all professionals with many years of higher education, combed through all the available research we could find and hashed through the citations, casting aside conspiracy theories and strictly focusing on science. The mayor’s fluoride commission made a recommendation to the Juneau Assembly after more than two years of study. The Assembly, guided by our research, very sensibly voted to get fluoride out of Juneau’s water. Most of the developed world reached the same conclusion at least a decade ago.

Before signing this petition, please make sure you have studied the research, not just looked at the dogma on an ADA pamphlet. Fluoride is bad for people, especially young children. It is a hazardous waste product. It’s much better to take care of your teeth, and your children’s well-being (including dental health), by eating whole foods (not processed junk) and brushing or at least rinsing after every meal or snack.

Dr. Emily Kane
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2. Cumbrian opponents go on-line

Most of the information I have received on battles over fluoridation in Cumbria have come to me from Roy and Carol Smith, who I was delighted to meet in person at my recent presentation in Manchester, England. Now we have learned from the news report below that local opponents have produced their own web site (which is linked to both web site of the National Pure Water Association and FAN). Please take a look at their site http://www.cumbrians-against-fluoridation.org.uk/ , if for no other reason than the see one of the beautiful lakes that provide them with their water. Why would anyone want to add fluoride to this water? See other stories at Latest news at http://www.FluorideAction.net

News and Star
Tuesday 26 June 2007

Anti-fluoride action group goes on line

By Daniel Cattanach

A PRESSURE group aiming to raise awareness of levels of fluoride in the west Cumbria water supply has launched its own website.

Cumbrians against Fluoridation has been campaigning for the last seven years against what it claims is the use of an untested, unresearched chemical in the area’s drinking water.

It is now taking its fight to the worldwide web and is calling for Cumbrians to share their experiences and concerns over the possible health risks.

Co-founder of the group, Dianne Standen, of Maryport, said: “This is something the group has wanted for a long time.

“We have always felt people in this area should be informed about water fluoridation. This site is easy to access and gives a wide range of information.

“We know that lots of local people are receiving high daily doses of fluoride. Now parents and concerned individuals can log on for information and check the identification of excess fluoride against their own health concerns.”

Mrs Standen believes the Department of Health’s 30-year policy of adding artificial fluoride to the west Cumbrian water supply could be causing untold damage to the health of thousands of residents who have been drinking the water since the late 1960s.

She said the added chemical is of a much higher concentration than that of natural fluoride, which is usually used in toothpaste to give healthy teeth, and is a by-product of fertiliser production.

She said people who get their water supply from Ennerdale and Crummock Water, including those from Whitehaven to Ravenglass, Loweswater and parts of Aspatria, were having artificial fluoride added to it.

She added that up to 50 per cent of the fluoride intake can remain in the human body for life.

The website www.cumbrians-against-fluoridation.org.uk has been designed by Julian Moss, of Cockermouth, who became concerned about the issue of water fluoridation after his Ukrainian wife Olga suffered health problems when she moved to Cockermouth.

The site suggests her problems originated from the local water supply.

Mr Moss said: “If this water was harming my wife, and our two friends, how can you be sure it isn’t harming your own health, or that of your family?”

The group is now urging any local people who have connected the additional fluoride in the water with any health problems they may have to add their story to those already on the website.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “There have been fluoridation schemes in the UK since the mid-1950s, longer in the USA, where the beneficial effects of fluoridated water were first recognised.

“No evidence of risks to overall health have been identified. Nevertheless, the Department of Health is committed to maintaining a research programm on fluoridation.”

3. A quiet victory in Alabama

According to the editorial below, unbeknownst to us the town of Oxford, Alabama, about 15 months ago, stopped fluoridating its water. The fact that the council did not inform the citizens has earned the wrath of this editor. But the good news is that he does not seem to be upset with an end of fluoridation itself. See other stories at Latest news at http://www.FluorideAction.net

The Anniston Star
Thursday 28 June 2007

What’s in Oxford’s water?
In our opinion

Like water itself, the truth has leaked out: Oxford’s water no longer contains fluoride. Citing rising costs, the city’s Water Works and Sewer Board decided 15 months ago to stop adding the chemical to its supply. The board broke no laws. It followed state procedure. It notified the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Department of Public Health.

But it did not tell the residents who drink the water.

Problem? Yes — and it has nothing to do with fluoride.

It has to do with openness and accountability.

Clearly, the debate over fluoride isn’t a stop-the-press incident. More than 30 percent of the United States does not have access to fluoridated water. Despite preventing tooth decay, flouride can lead to health problems if there’s over-exposure, critics claim. And here in Calhoun County, Oxford now is one of three water systems — joining those of Calhoun County and Weaver — that does not add fluoride.

But the failure to inform residents that the contents of their water had changed creates doubt about the sincerity of that city’s leaders. What else have Oxford residents not been told? Have other changes to their city services been kept from them?

In fairness, the decision to leave Oxford residents in the dark may have been no decision at all. It may have been an oversight, a simple human error. We hope that’s the case.

Nevertheless, this is proof of why city governments, boards and agencies must have complete openness. Citizens must know what’s going on. Anything less is unacceptable. The proof is in the water.