FAN Bulletin 885

November 3, 2007

Dear All,

Following closely on the heels of a victory at the polls in Waitaki, New Zealand (see second story below) another referendum has produced a victory for common sense in this country, this time on the South Island. What makes the victory among voters in Central Otago, parts of Southland and South Otago especially sweet is that this region lies close to the city of Otago, the location of New Zealand’s foremost (only?) dental school which has been pumping out pro-fluoridation propaganda for years. Especial congratulations are due to Dr. Bruce Spittle, who for a long time has been trying to educate the public through letters to the editor on this matter. While local officials have largely shunned his carefully documented information it looks as if the public may have been paying more attention (see first story below)

Please send your congratulations to Bruce Spittle at .

More information from down under tomorrow, when I will bring you an account of my two week tour of Australia.

Meanwhile, if you live in Pennsylvania, or you know any one else who does, please warn them that yet another attempt is being made to force mandatory fluoridation on the state (see three items below). Apparently the perennial bill has worked its way out of the house committee and could be voted on by the full house shortly. As many letters, emails and phone calls as possible should be sent to PA legislators urging them to turn down this outrageous attempt to force people to drink this substance at a level which is 250 times higher than the level in mothers milk (1 ppm versus 0.004 pm). It is bad enough when a local officials force this on a community, it is far worse when a legislature forces it on the whole state. Why should any so-called civilized society force on everyone what an individual doctor can NOT force on to anyone? It is amazing that in 2007 we still have to inform our “masters” that they have no right to deprive individuals of their right to “informed consent” to what medication goes into their bodies.

Such an abuse of human rights would be intolerable if this practice was safe, sensible and effective – but it is none of these.  Again and again stalwart citizens of PA have taken time out of their lives to fight this nonsense, but the clockwork motors that run the minds of the PA dental society and their friends in the legislature seem as oblivious to scientific evidence as they are to ethical argument and continue their annual push for this reckless policy. Please warn your PA friends today.

The online message to Congress has now passed the 5200 mark, but more signatures are urgently needed. Go to http://www.FluorideAction.net

Paul Connett
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NEW ZEALAND

Voters say no to water fluoridation

Southland Times,
Saturday, 3 November 2007

Forty-nine percent of voters in the Southland, Central Otago and South Otago districts are against water fluoridation, results from a non-biding referendum have shown.

When voters in Central Otago and parts of Southland and South Otago opened their local election ballot papers last month, they were also given a chance to take part in a poll asking whether they would like their water fluoridated.

Results from that poll show 49 percent of voters were against adding fluoride, while 36.5 percent were for, and 14.5 were neither for nor against.

Both pro and anti-fluoride campaigners had spent weeks before and after the elections calling for people to look into the issue.

Fluoride supporters said it was a proven safe and effective way of reducing tooth decay in children and adults. Those against argued it could cause health problems.

In Southland, Ohai was the only town of eight polled to support fluoridation, with residents narrowly voted for fluoride by 30 votes to 26.

However, in neighbouring Nightcaps, the majority voted against, 41 to 28.

The two towns share the same water supply.

Lumsden residents were evenly divided with 62 votes recorded either side.

Tuatapere residents strongly opposed fluoridation, voting 134 to 63. Despite this, nearly 80 percent of 5-year-olds have had tooth decay in some areas of western Southland.

Voting took place in Tuatapere, Te Anau, Riverton, Otautau, Winton, Ohai/Nightcaps, Oamaru, Tapanui, Milton, Kaitangata, Cromwell, Clyde and Alexandra.

Southland District Council communications officer Kerry Dohig said council would discuss the results later.
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2) Waitaki District Council: all Wards with referendum vote NO to fluoridation
     
Thursday 18 October 2007

Official Results

>From Fluoride Action Network http://www.fluoridealert.org/news/3112.html

On October 18, 2007, the Waitaki District Council released the results of the fluoridation referendum held in four Wards on October 13, 2007.

Prior to the election the Council circulated information “For” and “Against” adding fluoride to public water supplies - see links below.

The following are the official results released by the Waitaki District Council:

Ahuriri Ward
NO - I Would Not Like Fluoride Added - 325 votes
YES - I Would Like Fluoride Added - 135 votes
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 35

Corriedale Ward
NO - I Would Not Like Fluoride Added - 1216 votes
YES - I Would Like Fluoride Added - 505 votes
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 119

Oamaru Ward
NO - I Would Not Like Fluoride Added - 4278 votes
YES - I Would Like Fluoride Added - 1894 votes
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 278

Waihemo Ward
NO - I Would Not Like Fluoride Added - 544 votes
YES - I Would Like Fluoride Added - 366 votes
BLANK VOTING PAPERS: 108

Dated at Oamaru this 18th day of October 2007.
Joanne Firman
Electoral Officer
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Pennsylvania’s Mandatory Fluoridation Bill

 
1) Troy, Pennsylvania
 
11/02/2007
Troy discusses fluoridation bill

BY ERIC HRIN
STAFF WRITER

TROY — A House bill for the fluoridation of public water has set the teeth of some Troy Borough officials on edge.
House Bill No. 1649 calls for the Community Water Fluoridation Act. It would apply to the fluoride content of public water from public water suppliers with 500 domestic water connections or more.

“Hello — that’s us,” Dan Close, Troy borough manager, told council at its last meeting.

When the fluoride content is less than 0.7 milligrams per liter of fluoride, fluoride would be added to maintain a fluoride content of between 0.7 milligrams per liter and 1.2 milligrams per liter.

The House bill was referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services on June 27.
State Steve Rep. Barrar, from the 160th District, who introduced the bill, said it was moved out of the committee before the summer session ended.

“It’s on the schedule (to be voted on),” he said.

When asked for comment, Close said he was opposed to the government “forcing people to take medication through the water system.” He also thought it would be another example of an unfunded mandate.

He told council, “there’s a whole lot of literature out there about fluoridation and its positive effects and possible negative effects, and there’s always fundamental issues of whether the government ought to be putting fluoride in people’s drinking water instead of letting them fluoride their teeth any way they want.” He said council needs to be prepared to form a position.

“People can go to their dentist and get fluoride if they want it,” council member Brian Laverty said.
The copy of the House bill notes that the Centers for Disease Control has lauded community water fluoridation as “one of the ten most significant public health achievements of the 20th century.”

It says the proposed act is meant to be a preventive measure to reduce dental disease and contain health care costs.

“This act will benefit all Pennsylvanians, especially those who do not have regular dental care,” the bill reads. “This act will also help to reduce the 52,000,000 hours lost by children who miss school due to toothaches and other oral health complications.”

“It’s been proven there’s absolutely a great benefit to the populace as far as the cost of dental care goes,” Barrar said, when asked for comment.
The bill notes the fluoride content specified in the bill would be in accordance with regulations adopted by the state Department of Environmental Protection in consultation with the Department of Health, and at a level recommended by the United States Public Health Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; e-mail: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.
 
Editor:  rhosie@thedailyreview.com

 
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2) Troy Borough Manager Opposes Fluoridation
 
Letter to the Editor

11/03/2007
 

Mandatory fluoridation – poor science/bad law

EDITOR: In a recent article in the Nov. 2 issue of The Daily Review it was noted that I was in opposition of mandatory fluoridation for public water systems. That is absolutely correct, and I am not alone in my opposition. The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association has also taken a stand against mandatory fluoridation. Some members of the association do fluoridate their water and the association feels that should remain a local decision. But the association strongly opposes mandatory fluoridation as a regulatory directive. Among the many good reasons to oppose mandatory fluoridation is that it is mandatory medication. Utility providers such as Troy Borough have a responsibility to provide clean safe potable water to the residents of our community. The community has a right to expect that what comes out of their taps is in fact clean safe water, fluoridation in no way contributes to that goal.

The Daily Review quoted sections of the bill that was introduced by State Rep. Steve Barrar that proclaimed the benefits of fluoridation. What the Review article failed to do was research any opposition to the bill and quote reasons for the opposition. All drugs have side effects and fluoride is no exception (just read the warning label on fluoride toothpaste). In a recent article in Keystone Tap – a publication of Pa. rural water – it was noted that (According to the latest review from the U.S. National Research Council (NRC), exposure to fluoride may weaken bones, cause joint pain, disrupt the thyroid and damage the brain). It was also noted that even the American Dental Association recently issued an advisory that infants should not drink fluoridated water – due to the risk of developing dental fluorosis.

>From the point of unfunded government mandates, managers of water utilities constantly struggle to provide the highest possible quality product at the most reasonable cost. Who do you think is going to pay for not only the fluoride, but the system(s) necessary to introduce the appropriate dose of fluoride into a constantly fluctuating water supply? Today Troy Borough would have to fluoridate approximately 130,000 gallons of water each day. Six months ago that number would have been over 200,000. I question not only the ethics but also the economic feasibility of delivering medication through the water system. Consider that the average daily water consumption in the average household is estimated at 250 gallons per/day the majority of that water goes down the drain. Would it not make more sense to put the fluoride on the teeth where the bill claims it will do the most good?

Water treatment is needed to assure that water is safe and clean. Troy Borough utility employees constantly work to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water. Fluoridation is NOT water treatment! Please contact your representative in opposition to House Bill 1649.

Dan Close
TROY BOROUGH MANAGER

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3) Pennsylvania Neighbors May Be Forced To Put Fluoride In Their Water

Reported by: Naveen Dhaliwal
Email: ndhaliwal@wetmtv.com
Last Update: 11/02 8:20 pm
 
Pennsylvania Neighbors May Be Forced To Put Fluoride In Their Water
 
WELLSBORO - If you live in the Northern Tier you may not be happy to hear that you’re water bills could go up.  Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a plan to require your water supply be fluoridated, if it isn’t already. It’s safe to say that no one wants to pay more for their bills.  Especially water bills.  But in Pennsylvania, you may be asked whether the price is worth it to prevent tooth decay.