Lee County joined the growing ranks of local governments in Florida to remove fluoride from its water supply, Meantime, Hillsborough County decided to keep fluoridating at recommended levels.
Fluoridation has been standard practice for decades in an effort to improve dental health. However, more than a dozen cities or counties in the state have recently ended the practice amid concerns that elevated levels can affect the cognitive growth of children.
The Lee County Commission voted 5-0 on Tuesday to remove fluoride from its drinking water. Attending the meeting was Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who last year issued guidance recommending the removal of fluroide.
Ladapo has cited a recent report by the National Institutes of Health that showed a link between higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in kids. It includes studies involving levels at about twice the recommended limit for drinking water, not the 0.7 milligrams per liter of water, which has been the standard to support oral health since the 1950s.
“It’s insane to continue to support this with the information that we have now," Ladapo said. "You know who suffers the most? Well, so far, it’s children and pregnant women. Those are the most sensitive populations. That’s where the strongest data are.”
Before the vote, public comment was divided among residents concerned about dental health if the mineral was removed and those worried about cognitive impairment if it remained.
Daniel Becker did not put much stock in the surgeon general's guidance.
"It's obviously on the agenda because a minority of people believe in quack science," said Becker. "The benefits of fluoride in drinking water are well-documented. In developing this item for the this meeting, missing from the list of reviewers is any health care providers. Why is this? Since we have experts right here at Lee Health. What do pediatricians, cardiologists and dentists think about removing fluoride?"
Organizations such as the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics continue to support adding fluoride. AAP has called fluoridation one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.
"I think everyone is afforded the chance to change their mind," said Todd Catariono. "At one point, we were smoking cigarettes in restaurants and airplanes. When we found out it was deadly, we stopped. We have new information that will allow us to make a important decision."
The commission's decision only affects customers of Lee County Utilities, one of several providers in the county.
In Hillsborough, a motion to end the practice died with a 3-3 tie vote by the county commission on Wednesday. Commissioners Harry Cohen, Ken Hagan and Chris Boles voted no. Commissioner Gwen Myers was absent.
The motion came from Commissioner Joshua Wostal. He cited a recent court ruling in California that ordered federal environmental officials to "strengthen" fluoride levels because of concerns over potential health risks.
“The court finds the fluoridation of water at 0.7 milligrams per liter, the level presently considered optimal in the United States, poses an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children,” Wostal said. “Now that I've said it out loud, it sounds almost diabolical that I have to sit here and argue for it to be removed.
"Mouthwash has fluoride in it. My toothpaste has fluoride in it. We have no disclaimer on the faucets that say, 'Hey, we're already increasing your water to the maximum fluoridation rates of 0.7.' Maybe you shouldn't be using toothpaste or mouthwash because we could be unwittingly increasing you above these levels. None of those things exist."
Cohen urged caution and wanted a workshop first.
"Taking one court case that may or may not be filled with accurate information and making a public health determination of this magnitude is extremely irresponsible," he said.
"We've managed to reduce significantly the amount of cavities and dental work that that people, children need, and there is a very, very real risk that by removing the fluoride from water, we're going to have an entire generation of people with major dental issues, particularly lower economic people who don't have the benefit of regular dental care."
This week, Clearwater City Council member Ryan Cotton said he plans to soon introduce a motion to remove fluoride. Also, the Lakeland City Commission has slated a hearing for Feb. 17 to hear from the public about the issue.
Last week in Manatee County, commissioners voted to bring an ordinance on removing fluoride from the water supply at a later date. The county must also consider repairing the current fluoridation system.
Others that have recently voted to end fluoriation include Winter Haven, Fort Pierce, Niceville, Ormond Beach, Immokalee, Naples, Tavares, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Palm Bay, Melbourne and Collier County.
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