How sad that anti-fluoridation advocates feel the need to wrap their anti-health message in the cloth of environmental activism.
Boulder Ballot Question 2B presents itself as a clean-water measure, but is in fact designed to permanently eliminate water fluoridation in Boulder. Water fluoridation is safe and effective from a health standpoint, as well as being cost effective. The Centers for Disease Control have recognized water fluoridation as one of the 10 great health advances of the 20th century.
In Boulder, water is tested for arsenic and lead levels at one part per billion. Water coming into the system has undetectable levels of arsenic and lead, as does water going out of the system after fluoridation. Why would we risk our community’s dental health for no reason?
Water fluoridation is the foundation upon which we can build oral health for all populations. Public drinking water is available to everyone, regardless of income. Families who might not have access to fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride drips, or topical fluoride provided at the dentist’s office do have access to tap water. Since low-income families have proportionately more dental disease than their more affluent counterparts, we have a public-health imperative to assure the proven benefits of fluoridation to everyone in our community.
Save our children’s health. Don’t be deceived. Vote no on 2B.
The author is from Boulder.
The preceding was originally published as a letter to the editor of the Boulder Daily Camera on October 4, 2006.
This message is from the Vote No on 2B Committee,
supported by the many very concerned health professionals serving the people of Boulder.
