The conversation about fluoride has finally made its way to the Tallahassee City Commission – but there won’t be a lot to talk about.
As part of the Dec. 11 meeting agenda, staff included a status report on the city’s use of fluoride in drinking water, including research surrounding the benefits of continued use and information against the practice.
“National Institute of Health studies have touted community water fluoridation as equitable public health infrastructure, preventing dental disease across all socioeconomic groups,” staff wrote in the agenda item. “According to the Centers for Disease Control … drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25% in children and adults.”
“In contrast to the wide-ranging scientific support of fluoridation of the water supply, in August 2024, the U.S. National Toxicology Program published a monograph finding a linkage between fluoride in drinking water and lower (intelligence quotient) when fluoride was provided at a level of 1.5 milligrams per liter in drinking water,” staff continued.
That’s comparable to a tiny pinch of salt in a quart of water.
The item also gives no options besides “accept status update” or “commission direction,” basically meaning staff will have to wait for commissioners to come up with their own ideas.
Fluoridated water has been in the news for several weeks. Two cities in Florida recently voted to remove fluoride from their municipal water supply ? though that information is missing from the agenda item ? and Gov. Ron DeSantis-appointed Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has come out against fluoridation.
Original article online at: https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/2024/12/05/fluoride-discussion-to-make-its-way-to-tallahassee-city-commission-water-fluoridation/76796188007/