Michigan

WATER FLUORIDATION STATUS:

• PERCENT OF PEOPLE SERVED BY PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS THAT ARE FLUORIDATED:
  2018:  89.5% – ranked #16 among the states (100% fluoridated is ranked #1)
  2016:  89.7%
  2014:  91.7%
  2012:  90.2%
  2006:  90.9%
  2000:  90.7%
  1992:  88.5%
• To see if your town is fluoridated, click here.
• To learn when your town was fluoridated, and which fluoridation chemical it uses, click here.

LATEST NEWS:

• To see the latest news on fluoride developments in Michigan, click here.
• To see an updated list of Michigan’s professionals calling for an end to fluoridation, click here.

Michigan’s MANDATORY FLUORIDATION LAW:

• The State of Michigan does not mandate fluoridation.  Michigan law § 333.12721 gives only local governing bodies authority over fluoridation.  It prohibits state departments, boards, agencies, or commissions from ordering municipal water fluoridation.  Local governments can begin or discontinue fluoridation at their discretion, by ordinance or by referendum vote.  To learn more about these local fluoride ordinances, click here.

Of Special Interest: Beer made in Fluoridated cities

• Northern United Brewing Co. has two brewing facilities in Dexter and Traverse City. According to a Nov 27, 2012, newspaper report, “The facility in Dexter has brewed the line of Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales and the facility in Traverse city has brewed the line of North Peak beers. Due to demand exceeding production, Grant said “we’re consolidating both of our production facilities into this new facility.” This facility will be at 2319 Bishop Circle East in Dexter.

DATA ON ORAL HEALTH:

• 2006. Michigan Oral Health Plan. Michigan Department of Community Health; Michigan Oral Health Coalition. September. Funding for the State Oral Health Plan was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Programs Component 4: Chronic Disease Prevention  and Health Promotion Programs (U58/CCU522826). No mention of dental fluorosis.
• 2012 Fluoridation Toolkit by the Michigan Oral Health Coalition.
  2 of the 8 Subject Matter Experts on this report were: Kelly S. Adams, Senior Campaign Associate, Pew Children’s Dental Campaign; and Matt Jacob, Project Manager, Communications, Pew Center on the States.
  Note from FAN: Excerpts of problematic characterization of dental fluorosis permeates this report. Here are some examples:

“… the FDA believes that reducing the level of fluoride in municipal water will help reduce the occurrence of dental fluorosis, a harmless discoloration (mottling) that can occur with higher levels of exposure to fluoride. Fluoridation of water can decrease cavities by up to 40% if available to children during the first 7 years of their lives. The value of fluoridation has been thoroughly established as safe and effective.”

Q. What is dental fluorosis and will fluoridated water increase the odds that an infant will later develop this condition? A: Although using fluoridated water to prepare infant formula might increase the chance that a child develops dental fluorosis, nearly all instances of fluorosis are mild, cosmetic condition. Fluorosis usually appears as very faint white streaks on teeth. For examples of what mild fluorosis looks like, go to this web page: http://www.ada.org/5576.aspx?currentTab=1 [link doesn’t work]. In fact, the ADA reports that often “the effect is so subtle that, usually only a dental expert would notice it during an examination.”4 It does not cause pain, nor does it affect the function or health of the teeth. And once a child reaches age 8, they cannot develop dental fluorosis. Source: Pew Center on the State

Q. Is fluoridated water the reason why the rate of dental fluorosis among children has increased? A: Experts point to a different reason. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe the rise in fluorosis is due mainly to children who swallow fluoride-containing toothpaste when they brush their teeth. Researchers at Oregon State University also point to the swallowing of fluoride toothpaste as a key factor in excess fluoride intake by kids. This is why parents of children under the age of 6 are advised to supervise their kids’ tooth-brushing and apply only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush. Source: Pew Center on the State

FAN’S STATE COORDINATOR IN Michigan:

If you live in MI and want to get the fluoride out of your water contact Stuart Cooper, FAN’s campaign coordinator.

Michigan COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE REJECTED FLUORIDATION:

MICHIGAN WATER SYSTEMS WITH HIGH FLUORIDE LEVELS:

FLUORIDE POLLUTION SOURCES IN MICHIGAN:

In 2008, Michigan ranked #11 out of 48 states for Hydrogen Fluoride releases (2,344,230 pounds) into the environment. The following data comes from EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). “Total releases” includes both water and air pollution. It’s important to note, however, that not all industries or sources that release fluoride into the environment are included in the TRI.