Old fluoride debate renewed
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Ed Flanagan was shocked to learn that fluoride, a common toothpaste additive that is believed to protect teeth from decay, will soon be added to tap water throughout Southern California.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and its board of directors voted in favor of fluoridating tap water by 2007.

The district provides drinking water to 17 million people including those in Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme and the Conejo Valley communities. The fluoridated water also will reach unincorporated areas such as Camarillo Heights, Fairview, Las Posas Valley and Santa Rosa Valley.

Flanagan is among those who share the longstanding belief that fluoride is toxic, not only in drinking water but in showers.

"The average daily shower causes the skin to absorb as much chlorine and fluoride as if three to five gallons were consumed by drinking," Flanagan said.

Flanagan, a 22-year holistic health professional who lives in Calabasas, said that once fluoride is added to the water, residents won't be able to avoid consuming it even if they drink bottled water.

According to an article by University of Calgary professor David R. Hill on the website www. f l u o r i d a t i o n . c o m / calgaryh.htm, fluoride might cause hip fractures, cancer and intellectual impairment.

"One of the most compelling reasons to me is that the dental journals and public health journals warn against reconstituting infant formula with fluoridated water," said Billie Barewald, a registered nurse and chair of Mountainview Citizens for Safe Drinking Water.

Since so many people use tap water to mix infant formula, the danger is clear, she said.

"This is an admission that it is not good to drink," Barewald said.

But others believe small amounts of fluoride pose little if any danger. In fact, most dentists follow the American Dental Association's recommendation of fluoride treatments.

"Water fluoridation is very controversial subject," said Joe Deakin, assistant director of utilities for the Simi Valley Department of Public Works. "(There has been) decades of debate on fluoridation. I think it's impractical, but I don't think it's dangerous."

Dr. Steve Chen, a Thousand Oaks dentist, said fluoride "helps kids' teeth in the long run."

Chen said many pediatricians prescribe fluoride drops for children. The drops are typically given to kids between the ages of 18 months and 12 yearsChen said, adding that he gave fluoride drops to his children.

"I put it in their milk," Chen said.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency sets the standards for how much fluoride can be added to water, and the limit is 4 milligrams per liter. There will be 0.7 milligrams of fluoride added to local tap water.

Flanagan believes the widespread use of fluoride comes as the result of 50 years of misinformation. He said the Food and Drug Administration classifies

fluoride as a medication which, if placed in water, would violate a citizen's right to "informed consent to medicate."

Arlene Post, spokesperson for the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, said the fluoridation is mandatory.

"We receive our water from (the Metropolitan Water District). Without MWD we would have no water," Post said.

Flanagan urged residents to oppose the fluoride plan by contacting the water district and local government representatives.

To learn more about the arguments against fluoridation in tap water, visit the website www.fluoridealert.org, or www.nofluoride.com.

For views favoring fluoridation, visit the American Dental Association's website at, www.ada.org/public/topics/ fluoride/ or the Santa Barbara/ Ventura County Dental Association at www.sbvcds.org.