News Coverage
Flushing out fluoride
Health Canada Calls For Reduced Levels In Tap Water
Published July 31, 2008
Municipal officials are once again being asked to wade into the fluoride controversy in light of a new Health Canada study calling for reduced levels of the cavity-fighter in drinking water.
Point Edward Mayor Dick Kirkland said he will ask that flouride be removed entirely from drinking water at the August committee meeting of the Lambton Area Water Supply System (LAWSS).
"We've tried before to get it out of that water plant," said Kirkland.
He described fluoride as "nasty stuff," after years of working with the chemical at a local industrial company.
"It's expensive to put it in the water and there's a question whether it's doing any good."
A panel of experts convened by Health Canada has recommended new optimal concentrations of fluoride in drinking water. The study suggests that fluoride levels are ingested from a variety of sources by children and infants, and it should be lowered in drinking water and be monitored.
The report's authors want Health Canada to adopt a level of 0.7 milligrams per litre as the optimal target in drinking water. The maximum acceptable concentration is currently 1.5 mg/L.
LAWSS plant manager Reg McMichael said fluoride levels in local drinking water are between 0.5 and 0.8 mg.
"Optimally, we keep it around 0.6 mg," he said.
If a decision is made to reduce the level, that could be accomplished simply by direction of Lambton's Medical Officer of Health.
To remove it entirely , however, would be a little tougher, McMichael said.
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The issue was first put to voters back in 1960. Removing fluoride would require a plebiscite, as the LAWSS plant provides fluoridated water to six municipalities.
"You would need a majority decision, where a majority of voters in a majority of municipalities would vote to remove it," McMichael said.
The issue has long been a contentious one, said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley.
When city council last tackled it in 2005, Bradley cast the deciding vote to break a 4-4 tie to continue with the status quo on fluoridating drinking water. The vote followed a bitter exchange of words between councillors.
Bradley said he welcomes the opportunity to re-address the issue.
"I have no difficulty based on new information. It's a worthy discussion."
