Legislation Banning Fluoride in Public Water Supplies Soon to Be Introduced.

Representative Jason Ortitay who serves Allegheny County and Washington County has prepared landmark legislation to be introduced to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives soon. Below is his letter to fellow members of the House announcing a forthcoming bill and a request for co-sponsors.  Thanks to Beverly DeCer and Fluoride Free Pennsylvania for bringing this news to CHD PA’s attention.

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to ban the addition of fluoride into any public water system.

Many of our drinking water systems add fluoride to our citizens’ water, without these citizens’ consent, and often without them being aware that its occurring. According to the CDC, there are over 5.6 million Pennsylvanians receiving fluoridated water. Currently, DEP regulations have the Maximum Contaminant Level of fluoride set at 2 mg/L. Consumption of water with high levels of fluoride and other sources of fluoride exposure can lead to potential negative health consequences. Concerns around over-exposure to fluoride include dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, organ damage and impaired cognitive outcomes in children.

Dental fluorosis occurs when children ingest too much fluoride during teeth-forming years. In mild cases, this causes discoloration and porosity of the enamel of the teeth. More severe cases can cause extreme staining, pitting and higher risk of decay and chipping (DenBesten, Pamela, and Wu Li. “Chronic fluoride toxicity: dental fluorosis”).

Ingesting too much fluoride may also lead to skeletal fluorosis, which can include symptoms such as joint immobilization, osteosclerosis, osteomalacia and osteoporosis (Krishnamachari, K A. “Skeletal fluorosis in humans: a review of recent progress in the understanding of the disease”). The combination of these conditions can lead to immobility, pain and an increased risk of fractures.

The consumption of too much fluoride may also lead to kidney damage, stomach damage and central nervous system damage, leading to decreased cognitive outcomes for affected children (Ullah, Rizwan et al. “Potential fluoride toxicity from oral medicaments: A review”).

If people want to use or consume products containing fluoride, they can, but this should be an individual choice and not one forced upon them by their public water system. In my research, I have found the science does not support this practice and I do not believe that we should continue to fluoridate our water.

Please consider joining me in becoming a co-sponsor of this important legislation.