Some west-central Illinois water system operators say they would comply with the possible removal of fluoride that could come from the next presidential administration.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.— President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of Health and Human Services — has indicated that he wants to end the practice of water fluoridation in the United States. While that decision is made at state and local levels, Kennedy wrote in a post on social media that “the Trump White House will advise all U.S?. water systems to remove fluoride from public water” starting Jan. 20.
Kennedy claimed among other things that fluoride exposure was linked to arthritis, bone cancer, thyroid disease and lowered IQ, the latter of which had “moderate evidence” backing it, according to a study from the National Toxicology Department.
Kennedy also has made various statements that go against accepted scientific evidence, including repeating the unsubstantiated claim that vaccinations are linked to autism.
Water fluoridation began in 1945 as a way to help children and adults prevent cavities. Fluoridated water coats a tooth’s surface, causing it to strengthen and prevent decay. As of 2022, more than 17,000 community water systems in the country fluoridate their water — including every single water system in west-central Illinois.
Rick Hearin, supervisor of operations for Jacksonville Municipal Utilities Department, said that the city has been fluoridating its water for about 30 years. Fluoride helped residents both young and old maintain their dental health, he said.
“It’s for everybody,” he said.
Jim Dobson, water operator for Winchester, said the city has been adding fluoride to its water for as long as its newest water plant was built in 2010, though he said it has been likely doing it for longer.
Neither Hearin nor Dobson said they had heard any complaints from locals about fluoridated water. Hearin said the concerns he had heard were mostly coming from people in the government, who were concerned that residents were receiving too much fluoride.
“Now, with fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwashes and some of the food, they’re saying they’re getting over-fluoridated,” Hearin said.
Hearin said that Jacksonville Municipal Utilities Department would probably comply if the government requested that they get fluoride out of its water. He was uncertain as to what the response from the community would be, however.
“I know there’s a lot of … people wanting to get rid of it, but there are some people that want to keep it, too,” he said. “That’s one of them gray areas.”
Dobson said Winchester would most likely consult with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies if it was urged to get rid of fluoride. However, he said he would have no problem with doing away with it if deemed appropriate and it would not be particularly difficult.
“Would I be against getting rid of the fluoride? No,” Dobson said. “If they wanted to get rid of the fluoride, would I do it? Yes.”
Original article online at: https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/illinois-water-fluoride-removal-19983701.php