Fluoride hurts young, old, rich and poor

Medically questionable and ethically wrong fluoridation proponents say that if we stop adding fluoride to Durango's water, it will hurt the dental health of our low income families. I did some independent research and was shocked by what I found. Fluoridating Durango water is hurting all of us, poor and rich alike.

I started by looking at dental fluorosis and noticed a 2010 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stating that 41 percent of U.S. adolescents aged 12-15 have dental fluorosis. The CDC website states, "Dental fluorosis only occurs when younger children consume too much fluoride, from any source, over long periods when teeth are developing under the gums."

Fluorosis is characterized by mottling or pitting of the tooth enamel before the age of eight. The damage to the teeth is permanent. Babies drinking formula made with fluoridated tap water receive the highest fluoridation dose per body weight for all age groups in the population. This puts low-income families disproportionately at risk for fluorosis, as these families are known to utilize formula more frequently than higher income groups.

In 1997, Dr. John Colquhoun, BDS, PhD said, "Common sense should tell us that if a poison circulating in a child's body can damage the tooth-forming cells, then other harm also is likely." The World Health Organization data shows that between approximately 1980 and 2005, most western, industrialized countries have rejected water fluoridation, and have nevertheless experienced a similar decline in childhood dental decay as fluoridated countries.

When Durango city government adds fluoride to our water, it takes away the important medical principle of an individual's consent and choice.

Given recent scientific studies finding health risks from even low concentrations of fluoride, the right to be able to abstain from fluoride is even more important. Fluoridation is medically questionable and ethically wrong for Durango.

Vote "for" 1A to stop the addition of fluoride to Durango water.

Holly Jobson

Durango