YORKTOWN, NY — Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman ordered the suspension of water fluoridation in the town last Thursday, citing a federal court ruling last week.
In the case of Food & Water Watch, Inc., et al, v. the United States Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen ruled on September 24, that the current standard for water fluoridation in the U.S., set at 0.7 mg/L, presents an “unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.”
The judge cautioned that it’s not certain that the amount of fluoride typically added to water is causing lower IQ in kids, but he ruled that a growing body of research points to an unreasonable risk it might be.
He ordered the EPA to take steps to lower that risk, but did not specify what those measures should be.
The U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) currently recommends that fluoride concentration in drinking water follow science-based guidance on the optimal level of fluoride in community water supplies. The PHS panel that provided the recommendation considered all sources of fluoride intake and recommended 0.7 mg/L as the concentration that maximizes fluoride’s oral health benefits while minimizing potential harms.
The federal court’s decision, however, stressed the potential risks to vulnerable populations, including children, which Supervisor Lachterman says made him take immediate action.
“In light of this federal ruling and the long-standing concerns expressed by many Yorktown residents, I have decided to suspend water fluoridation as a precautionary measure,” Lachterman said. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of our community, and we believe it is prudent to pause fluoridation to further assess its potential impacts.”
The town says that it will continue to monitor guidance from federal and state agencies and act accordingly to protect public health. Yorktown’s leadership says that it plans to engage with public health experts to make sure that any future decisions on water treatment practices prioritize the safety and health of all residents, especially those identified as potentially more vulnerable to fluoridation risks.
Due to the suspension of water fluoridation, Somers residents will also not receive fluoridated water.
“Removing fluoride from Somers’ drinking water would give residents the freedom to choose their own sources of fluoride, ensuring personal control over their health decisions,” Somers Supervisor Robert Scorrano said. “Additionally, concerns about potential long-term health risks from fluoride exposure support reevaluating its use in public water systems. Somers applauds Yorktown for making this decision.”
After a seven-year pause, the Northern Westchester Joint Water Works resumed adding fluoride to Yorktown’s water this past summer. The fluoridation started up again after upgrades to the Amawalk and Catskill Treatment Plants to meet stricter health and safety requirements. Both treatment facilities began fluoridating the water supply with 20-23 percent hydrofluorosilicic acid, at a target dosage of 0.7 mg/L.
The full federal court decision can be read here.
Original article online at: https://patch.com/new-york/yorktown-somers/water-fluoridation-suspended-yorktown-somers