I call upon the officials of the city of Ladysmith to end fluoridation of the city water supply.  The fluoride that the city currently puts in the water is a neurotoxin, according to multiple studies.  There is currently a lawsuit that was filed against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by the Fluoride Action Network/FAN (flouridealert.org).  The lawsuit contends that fluoride is a neurotoxin, and numerous studies show that oral intake of fluoride is associated with lowered IQs in children who live in communities where the water is fluoridated. The next status hearing on this lawsuit is scheduled for December 4, and the second phase of the fluoride trial is Jan 31, 2024. Here are a few quick facts:  1. 97% of Western Europe has rejected water fluoridation.  2.  64 studies have linked fluoride with reduced IQ in children.  3.  Excessive fluoride exposure can cause osteoarthritis.  I encourage those who are interested in learning more to go to the FAN website for more information.   

I encourage Ladysmith citizens to become aware of the health risks associated with drinking fluoridated water, and take steps to protect themselves and their children.  There are ways to filter the fluoride out of the water.  You can purchase and install a reverse-osmosis water filter that will take out the fluoride and any other contaminants, resulting in water that tastes good!  The cost of this runs from $150-200 dollars.  Unfortunately, fluoride can also be absorbed through the skin, so if you want to bathe in non-fluoridated water, that will cost a lot more, about $2000 dollars for a whole-house water filtration system (plus labor cost for installation).    

*Original full-text article online at: https://www.ladysmithnews.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/article_ce476d6a-888f-11ee-bb02-2778a5567d3e.html