Kansas University’s chemistry department will host a forum this week on the pros and cons of adding fluoride to the city’s drinking water.

Lawrence resident Albert Burgstahler, who is the longtime editor of the journal Fluoride, will give a presentation at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at 1001 Malott Hall on the KU campus.

Burgstahler has been a frequent opponent of cities adding fluoride to their drinking water supply. The issue has come in Lawrence after City Commissioner Hugh Carter in February asked staff members to study whether the city ought to consider abandoning its practice of adding fluoride to the drinking water.

Commissioners have received a report from the city auditor that highlights three studies about fluoridation. The studies recommend the EPA lower its allowable standards for fluoride in drinking water, but the city already is adding fluoride in amounts at or below those levels.

The six candidates for the Lawrence City Commission all have recently said they don’t have any current concerns about the level of fluoride added to the city’s drinking water.

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