Opinion: Is it Time to Eliminate or Reduce the Fluoride in Our Drinking Water?

by Rex Lee Reid
Photo by Roman Marchenko on Unsplash Photo by Roman Marchenko on Unsplash

One of the best decisions our governor has made was appointing Dr. Joseph Ladapo as Surgeon General. HisHis temperament and intellect make him a perfect fit for the job. He carefully examines data and isn’t afraid to take positions that is contrary to conventional wisdom—or what I call institutionalized ignorance.
So, when Dr. Ladapo says we should stop adding fluoride to our water, we should listen. More importantly, we should act.
But wait a second, hasn’t it been proven fluoride helps prevent tooth decay? Yes, it has but as Sir Isaac Newton taught us each action has an equal and opposite reaction. The problem with health outcomes is that these negative reactions are often not immediately visible or equal in magnitude.
The original reason for adding fluoride to water was based on an observation by dentists: people out west had less tooth decay and discoloration than those in the East. It turned out their water was naturally fluoridated.  So obviously, the more fluoride the better. 
However, this failed the first principle of healthcare: “First, do no harm.” Stop and consider for a moment you don’t know everything you think you know regarding the downstream impact. 
Don’t just take my word for it—Dr. Ladapo has called it “health malpractice” to  continue to add fluoride to our drinking water.   He has also highlighted “neuropsychiatric risks associated with fluoride exposure,” including lower IQ and behavioral issues.
Now to the math of it all. According to a recent court ruling the EPA states that a hazard level exists at 1.5 parts per million (ppm) in drinking water. Which is give or take what Bay County sets uses as its maximum. The problem is according to the EPAs own guidelines, due to the variability of diet and absorption rates, the level should be ten times below that or .15 ppm.  Which for all intents and purposes is zero. The last reports on their website Panama City Beach and Bay County are reporting 1.1 ppm. 
Given this, it’s time for a rational conversation on fluoride. The state legislature should take Dr. Ladapo’s advice and set a maximum fluoride limit of 0.15 ppm in Florida’s water supply. If not, it is time for the counties and municipalities to take matters into their own hands and stop adding fluoride to our drinking water. 
The next generation's IQ is literally at stake. 
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