OSAGE BEACH — The debate has re-fired over removing fluoride from drinking water, this time in Osage Beach.
With states such as Utah and Florida already having banned fluoride, Osage Beach Mayor Michael Harmesen hoped his city would be the next to take action.
“I wanted to do this three years ago, and it just couldn’t happen at the time, but we have a new Public Works Director who’s on board with this, I believe,” said Harmesen when asked about his proposal.
He will suggest the removal of community water fluoridation at Thursday’s city council meeting, citing health concerns.
“They found over the years that too much fluoride can cause problems with the thyroid, low IQ in children,” said Harmesen.
However, oral professional Ronald Massey of Premier Dental was an early advocate for fluoride, deeming its inclusion necessary.
“When I went to the city of Osage Beach at that time, they were against it. I talked to them about putting fluoride in their water, and they were against it. After some discussion and getting the real facts from a professional in the field of oral health care, they decided at that point to put fluoridation in. So they’ve had fluoridation since the mid-1990s”, said Massey.
Massey backed his claims with a study reported by the National Institute of Health.
“It was concluded in 2024 and reported in Pennsylvania. And they were showing that a community that did not have fluoridation had a decay rate in over 4,000 children they tested. The decay rate was almost 60 percent,” said Massey.
Harmison argued that the Osage Beach water system almost naturally meets the suggested level.
“We’re a well water system, and we already have fluoride naturally in our water, and it’s almost to the lowest level that they suggest. So we don’t need to be adding any more,” said Harmison.
Dr. Massey emphasizes this point, but noted confirmation is necessary.
“The mayor certainly can go and have the water of Osage Beach tested for the quantity of fluoride in the water itself. Then their water system can be adjusted to increase or decrease the fluoride as needed to that recommended .7 parts per million,” said Massey.
Original article online at: https://krcgtv.com/news/local/osage-beach-mayor-puts-community-water-flouridation-on-city-council-meeting-agenda