Whatcom Democrats, on the evening of September 14, voted to support a “NO” vote on Proposition #1, against fluoridation. Citizens Against Forced Fluoride welcome the growing number of organizations, professionals, and individuals coming out against the fluoridation scheme.
This is a significant development regarding the future of Bellingham and those who drink, bathe in, or otherwise use Bellingham city water, one that Citizens Against Forced Fluoride feel should be shared with the community through your readers.
Citizens Against Forced Fluoride feel strongly that the use of fluorides is and always should be a personal choice. It is a decision that should be between patient and doctor and based on an individual’s age, weight and overall health history. It is inappropriate and unethical to expect a number of people to take a medication without informed consent and without proper dosage control. Fluorides should not be used as a mass medication, especially due to the hazardous nature of the type of fluoride used in U.S. cities for fluoridation.
The source of fluoride compound for use in water-fluoridation around the country is an industrial-grade chemical, most commonly referred to as hydrofluosilicic acid. Until it is sold for use in water fluoridation, hydrofluosilicic acid is classified as a hazardous waste product. It contains contaminants such as arsenic, lead and mercury, and is not the “pure” fluoride one would assume in pharmaceutical-grade Sodium Fluoride associated with topical products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses, or the naturally occurring Calcium Fluoride. Hydrofluosilicic acid is the only fluoride containing chemical that is considered “cost effective” for use in fluoridation.
Hydrofluosilicic acid is not and has never been an appropriate means of delivering fluoride. It is common sense that a substance that is not allowed to be released into the surrounding air or water near the source, phosphate fertilizer plants, should not be allowed to be released into our drinking water.
One of the most corrosive substances available, this is a harsh chemical that should not be traveling into our community by highway or by railway.
It is also inappropriate to expect the citizens of Bellingham to be mandated to bear the burden of a fluoridation system rather than pursue more appropriate avenues for providing appropriate dental care, which would be the true cost effective method.
The total costs involved for Bellingham fluoridation are unknown, from the final costs of installing fluoridation equipment to the training of hazardous waste specialists. Other unspecified costs must include increased maintenance and replacement of the water system due to the corrosive nature of fluorosilicates, which is damaging to pipes and equipment. In other fluoridation systems another chemical is necessary to buffer the fluorosilicates to slow down the rate of corrosion. The chemical that would be used to alter the fluorosilicates for Bellingham is unknown.
Fluoride is more toxic than Lead and not quite as toxic as Arsenic according to the Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. Yet 15 parts per Billion is all that is allowed for Lead and only ten parts per Billion are allowed for Arsenic in our water according to the EPA. Lead is not safe to for children to ingest without the potential for harm. Arsenic is not safe for children to ingest without the potential for harm. Yet Four Thousand parts per Billion are allowed for Fluoride.
This is why 11 EPA Unions representing approximately 7,000 Health professionals are calling for a moratorium on fluoridation, because there is doubt about just how safe and effective hydrofluosilicic acid is for children.
Because there is doubt, Whatcom Democrats have said “Keep It Out”.
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