Resolution of the Santa Rosa-Sonoma County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Opposing Fluoridation of Our Public Water Supply
Whereas, studies have found that in fluoridated communities, African-American and Latino children are at greater risk for dental fluorosis (discolored teeth from damaged tooth enamel caused by fluoride exposure) and,
Whereas, a blue-ribbon panel of scientists has identified kidney patients and diabetics as being especially susceptible to harm from ingested fluorides and African-Americans suffer disproportionate amounts of kidney disease and diabetes in America, and
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control says that babies under 6 months should get NO fluoride and if the public water supply is fluoridated powdered formula would have to be mixed with bottled water.
Whereas, Harvard University researchers concluded in July 2012, that results “support the possibility of adverse effects of fluoride exposure on children’s neurodevelopment and concluded that “children in high fluoride areas “had significantly lower IQ’s than those who live in low fluoride areas” and,
Whereas, commonly used fluoridation chemicals cause increased absorption of lead, and this lead- absorbing effect is more pronounced in black & Latino populations (which are already over-exposed to lead) and,
Whereas, it is estimated more than 24 tons of fluoride per year would pass into the environment through irrigation of home yards and parks and whereas fluoride has a variety of adverse environmental impacts on aquatic organisms, and
Whereas, new state data shows unfluoridated Portland, Oregon kids actually have lower cavity rates than kids in Oregon’s fluoridated cities, and
Whereas, former Ambassador Andrew Young, one of many civil rights leaders opposed to fluoride, has pointed out that: “we…have a cavity epidemic today in our inner cities that have been fluoridated for decades”
Now Therefore Be it Resolved that the Sonoma-Santa Rosa NAACP opposes the addition of fluoride to our public drinking water as citizens have no choice in the matter and research indicates that people of color are disproportionately negatively affected by fluoride, and
Further Be It Resolved, the Sonoma-Santa Rosa NAACP calls attention to the fact that this is a Civil Rights Issue that damages people of color disproportionately to whites, and
Further Be It Resolved, that we call for adequate dental care for all children but oppose the addition of toxic fluoride to our drinking water because of known hazards, and lack of adequate research into the unknowns, particularly regarding the impact on children, and
Finally be it Resolved, that the Sonoma County-Santa Rosa NAACP will forward this Resolution to our Board of Supervisors in hopes they will further study the issue of fluoridation and the negative impact upon special populations.
11/11/14
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Coalition of African American Pastors Oppose Water Fluoridation
As President of the Coalition of African American Pastors I am writing to document our opposition to water fluoridation. In learning about the developments surfacing now, we cannot support the idea of adding the chemical fluoride to drinking water. There are several reasons for this.
1. African Americans are at greater risk for so many diseases today, and since the National Research Council has stated that kidney patients and diabetics are especially vulnerable to harm from ingested fluorides, and since we all know that blacks are deeply affected by kidney and diabetes ailments, supporting fluoridation that provides uncontrolled dosing of fluorides does not make sense.
2. Fluoridation takes away people’s choice – many people can’t afford unfluoridated bottled water or a home water fluoride removal system. So these families have no choice but to drink fluoridated water if it comes into their homes. If people want fluorides, they can use fluoridated toothpaste. This retains people’s choice.
3. Research shows that black children ingest significantly more fluorides than white children, and that black Americans have more staining of their teeth that demonstrates excessive intake of fluorides as a child.
4. Putting fluoride in water assumes a one-size-fits-all approach, that all people, regardless of body weight or medical history, can drink unlimited amounts of water with fluoride in it. As pastors we believe the Biblical truth that our bodies are the temple of God, and that we have a responsibility to take care of these temples. So we must take issue with bringing into our bodies unknown amounts this substance fluoride that comes at us from all directions in foods made with fluoridated water, beverages, water, drugs, pesticide and fumigant residues, etc.
Attempting to prevent cavities by medicating us in drinking water does not resonate as being a smart thing to do. We cannot support water fluoridation, and we encourage church members to educate themselves about this issue.
Sincerely,
Reverend William Owens
The Coalition of African American Pastors
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