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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) When I was growing up, New York City put large amounts of fluoride into its municipal drinking water. That, and to kill off whatever bacteria was in the city’s pipes, made the water come out of the tap almost foggy. If you let it sit for a moment in a glass, the water would clear. If would have almost a sweet after-taste.
More than 80 communities in Wisconsin have stopped adding fluoride to their water. It’s not healthy for younger children to ingest, and it can cause damage to teeth if it’s consumed in higher amounts.
I’m a fluoride skeptic. Why is it the only health additive that we allow in our drinking water. Why not put in aged garlic extract to lower people’s blood pressure? Or why not add fish oil to the water for better heart health? It’s because you and me, individually, are supposed to decide which health add-ons are right for us. There shouldn’t be special rules for fluoride. If you want healthier teeth, brush more often and use a fluoride toothpaste.
Earlier this year Wausau announced it would cut the amount of fluoride in its water because of supply chain problems in price spikes. The fluoride additive has been cut in half.
Wausau’s water is already some of the most expensive water in the state. We’re told that fluoride is being cut to keep costs from going higher. Why not eliminate fluoride altogether, and pass the savings onto customers?
Chris Conley
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