NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WLUC) – Some residents in Marquette County are raising concerns about fluoride in two cities’ water sources.
Community members in Negaunee discussed the pros and cons of fluoridation in water.
The Negaunee water system is shared with Ishpeming.
City Manager Nate Heffron says the city had nearly 50 people voice their concerns.
“The majority of the folks spoke in favor of keeping the fluoride in the water system,” Heffron said. “There are a number of health professionals, like doctors, dentists, and pharmacists, and in addition, there were a number of Negaunee residents just here speaking on behalf of their household.”
Heffron says that three city council members brought the meeting forward. He adds that this is something you requested.
During public comment, Brian Anderson, a dentist, spoke up, saying fluoride in the water is a must.
“It’s been in the water since the 1950s, it’s a simple public health way of managing tooth decay, it’s a minor mineral that is put into the water at an appropriate level, and it protects everyone who drinks it,” Anderson said.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants fluoride out of our water.
That push comes after a judge pointed to studies linking high fluoride levels to lower IQs in kids.
Brenda Staudenmaier came from Wisconsin to back that statement up.
She’s a Water Steward, someone who works to protect water and use it wisely, and she fully supports Kennedy’s decision.
“It increases ADHD and anxiety, headaches, and all kinds of issues, but we don’t know the damage that our children are getting because they aren’t just getting fluoride from our drinking water,“ Staudenmaier said. ”They are getting it from swallowing toothpaste and dental products.”
Heffron says the council hasn’t taken any action, so it considers the issue closed.
He says it won’t come up again unless the council votes to add it to a future agenda, or if someone brings a petition with enough signatures.
Original article online at: https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/06/27/negaunee-city-council-hosts-forum-discuss-fluoride-water/