Cohasset’s Board of Health will wait to vote on changing the fluoridation level in the town’s water supply.
The board listened to a presentation by TUSM graduate student Scott Finkelstein, who conducted a scientific review of fluoridation levels and the occurrence of dental fluorosis, which leaves white spots on teeth.
Cohasset receives its water from two suppliers – most of the town is on Cohasset Water, while North Cohasset is served by Aquarion, which also serves Hingham and Hull.
The current fluoride level in Aquarion water is 1.0 milligrams per liter; health officials in Hingham and Hull are lobbying to reduce the amount to 0.7 milligrams per liter, according to Board of Health chair Peggy Chapman, who said the other towns are waiting on Cohasset to make a move.
“We’ve hung up Hingham for a year and a half on this issue,” Chapman said.
Finkelstein said that new government recommendations should be issued by the end of the month. However, according to his data, Cohasset consumers currently experience a “median exposure to fluoride” that is actually “lower than the recommended exposure.”
Finkelstein concluded that the 0.7 amount is “probably too low.”
Board of Health Agent Felix Zemel noted that there is a “large lobby trying to get rid of fluoride” in the country. And while boards of health have the authority to reduce or increase the amount of fluoride in the local water supply, they cannot eliminate fluoride completely.
The effects of fluorosis are also minimal, according to Finkelstein, saying many people “don’t notice” small spots on their teeth.
Zemel explained that it’s not an “adverse health effect” but rather a cosmetic issue.
Cohasset’s health board will wait to make a decision until the full board is present to discuss and possibly vote on the matter.
Cohasset receives its water from two suppliers – most of the town is on Cohasset Water, while North Cohasset is served by Aquarion, which also serves Hingham and Hull.
Zemel said in an email, “The board decided to hold off on a decision (including discussion about making a decision) until the full board is together at the next meeting – at which point they will decide which direction they will follow.”
Look for more on this issue in an upcoming edition of the Mariner.
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