Daniel Johnson, a member of Kentuckians Against Fluoridation, presented the court a number of reasons he thinks adding fluoride to tap water should be discontinued.

Johnson described fluoridation as unnecessary and unethical, saying such measures violate state and federal consent laws, he said. Fluoridation is also a waste of public funds, he said.

A packet of information he provided for members of the court quotes Dean Burk, a biochemist and early opponent of tap water fluoridation: “This amounts to public murder on a grand scale, it is a public crime, it would be, to put fluoride in the drinking water of people.”

According to the packet, Burk, who died in 1988, also said fluoride causes cancer in humans faster than any other chemical.

Johnson has discussed the issue with numerous officials about the issue, he said, adding that they have all shown an interest in doing away with fluoride. “Public officials and municipal companies have been all for getting it out,” he said.

For dental purposes, fluoride is supposed to be applied to the teeth rather than digested, Johnson said.

“I hope that we can stomp this out and I’m really hoping that the money saved can go back into the community, that we can do better dental programs for the kids, he said.”

In response, Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon said he has started researching the issue, which included discussing it with Bowling Green Municipal Utilities. BGMU supplies drinking water for Warren County, selling it wholesale to the Warren County Water District.

“Everywhere I’ve checked, I’ve found merit to your concerns,” he said to Johnson. “We’re going to continue the dialogue and the discussion and research.”

Fluoride is not as dangerous as Johnson thinks, according to Doug Kimbler, superintendent of water treatment plants at BGMU.

While he appreciates Johnson’s concern, there is no significant danger in drinking Bowling Green’s tap water, he said.