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 You Are Invited To Attend
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Commissioners to Hold Fluoride Meeting
Skagit PUD Commissioners want to hear from water customers regarding concerns or desire to fluoridate the Judy Reservoir water system.
To ensure that all Skagit PUD customers have had adequate opportunity to voice their opinion on this important issue, the Commissioners plan to hold a public meeting to take community comments.
Location: Burlington-Edison High School Cafeteria/Performing Arts Center
(301 N Burlington Blvd, Burlington, WA)
www.skagitpud.org
Skagit Citizens Against Forced Fluoridation is opposed to the fluoridation of Skagit PUD water supplies. We believe that Skagit Valley residents value clean and safe water. Forcing Skagit Citizens to drink fluoridated water against their choice is both unethical and medically unsound.
Skagit PUD provides water to the residents of Mount Vernon, Burlington and Sedro-Woolley. All Skagit County residents and visitors -- not just Skagit PUD ratepayers -- will be exposed to fluoridation chemicals at schools, workplaces and restaurants if our water supplies are fluoridated.
Skagit Citizens Against Forced Fluoridation believes that ingesting fluoride should be a choice – not something that is forced upon the entire population. Fluoride is regulated as a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and as a contaminant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). No one should be medicated against their choice. While there is a long history of adding fluoride to drinking water in the United States, more than 98% of of Europe is not fluoridated and there is a movement around the world to take fluoride out of public water supplies, even in previously fluoridated areas,
Fluoride is found in many foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, waterproofing and stain resistance chemicals (in clothing, carpets and furniture) and non-stick coatings on cookware. Fluoride chemicals are common industrial pollutants. It is impossible to control the dosage of fluoride that each individual receives because different people drink differing amounts of water, and have varying levels of fluoride exposure due to work and lifestyle. Some populations such as children, the elderly and those with impaired kidney and liver functions, are especially prone to fluoride overdose due to their rapidly growing bodies (in the of children) or impaired detoxification functions. Fluoride has been linked to a long list of health issues, including negative impacts to: the thyroid gland and enzyme systems as well as increases in bone fracturesand bone cancers. In August of 2005 11 EPA unions representing 7.000 employees called for a national moratorium on water fluoridation (click here)
A recent report by the National Research Council (NRC) recommends that the maximum allowable fluoride dosage be reduced, with the effect being a narrowing of the window between “safe” and “unhealthy” fluoride ingestion levels. Many European countries and cities in the US have rejected water fluoridation due to public health concerns. Belgium will not even provide fluoride as a medication.
Fluorosilicic acid, the fluoridation chemical added to public water supplies, is an industrial waste product of the fertilizer and aluminum industries. Fluorosilicic acid contains heavy metal contaminants such as lead, arsenic and mercury. Additionally, fluoridation chemicals have been shown to leach lead out of xxxx plumbing, and also to increase corrosion . Click here for an article.
A 2005 CH2M Hill report estimated costs to Skagit PUD at $2,800,000.00.. This estimate is now outdated. Current costs for designing for constructing facilities and equipment have increased significantly.
Water fluoridation will increase our water bills through the increased costs of building and maintaining facilities, increased staff training, and the chemicals themselves. In some municipalities PUD staff have come out against fluoridation due to the increased risks of handling toxic fluoridation chemicals.
Dentists are speaking out against fluoridation.You can read Dr. Bill Osmunson's Guest Editorial that was submitted to the Skagit Valley Herald, but was never published, as well as additional research that supports his article. Click here to read the supporting research.
There is no net reduction in cavities as a result of fluoridation. Dr. Bill Osmunson DDS, MPH, a dentist from the Seattle Area, created a chart comparing dental caries rates in Washington State, which has a relatively high level of water fluoridation, with dental caries rates in Oregon, where fluoridation is much less common. The chart shows that there are no significant differences in dental caries rates in fluoridated and unfluoridated areas!! Click here to see the chart.
Dr. Debra Hopkins DDS, a long time practicing dentist in Tacoma, regularly treats dental fluorosis (fluorosis is a sign of fluoride poisoning). Dr Hopkins wrote this excellent letter opposing fluoridation. Click here to read her letter.
Other respected medical professionals and scientists are warning of long-term health consequences Click here to learn more.
Local Fluoride News
Letter sent by Dr. Bill Osmunson DDS MPH on May 15, 2008 to the three Skagit County Commissioners (Munks, Dahlstedt, Dillon) and Peter Browning, Director of the Skagit County Health Department. Click here for the pdf file.
Kidney Foundation Drops Fluoridation Support
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