1) Troy, Pennsylvania

11/02/2007
Troy discusses fluoridation bill

By Eric Hrin
Staff Writer

TROY — A House bill for the fluoridation of public water has set the teeth of some Troy Borough officials on edge.
House Bill No. 1649 calls for the Community Water Fluoridation Act. It would apply to the fluoride content of public water from public water suppliers with 500 domestic water connections or more.

“Hello — that’s us,” Dan Close, Troy borough manager, told council at its last meeting.

When the fluoride content is less than 0.7 milligrams per liter of fluoride, fluoride would be added to maintain a fluoride content of between 0.7 milligrams per liter and 1.2 milligrams per liter.

The House bill was referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services on June 27.
State Steve Rep. Barrar, from the 160th District, who introduced the bill, said it was moved out of the committee before the summer session ended.

“It’s on the schedule (to be voted on),” he said.

When asked for comment, Close said he was opposed to the government “forcing people to take medication through the water system.” He also thought it would be another example of an unfunded mandate.

He told council, “there’s a whole lot of literature out there about fluoridation and its positive effects and possible negative effects, and there’s always fundamental issues of whether the government ought to be putting fluoride in people’s drinking water instead of letting them fluoride their teeth any way they want.” He said council needs to be prepared to form a position.

“People can go to their dentist and get fluoride if they want it,” council member Brian Laverty said.
The copy of the House bill notes that the Centers for Disease Control has lauded community water fluoridation as “one of the ten most significant public health achievements of the 20th century.”

It says the proposed act is meant to be a preventive measure to reduce dental disease and contain health care costs.

“This act will benefit all Pennsylvanians, especially those who do not have regular dental care,” the bill reads. “This act will also help to reduce the 52,000,000 hours lost by children who miss school due to toothaches and other oral health complications.”

“It’s been proven there’s absolutely a great benefit to the populace as far as the cost of dental care goes,” Barrar said, when asked for comment.
The bill notes the fluoride content specified in the bill would be in accordance with regulations adopted by the state Department of Environmental Protection in consultation with the Department of Health, and at a level recommended by the United States Public Health Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; e-mail: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

Editor: rhosie@thedailyreview.com

http://www.thedailyreview.com/site/news.asp?brd=2276&pag=460&dept_id=465052

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2) Troy Borough Manager Opposes Fluoridation

Letter to the Editor

11/03/2007


Mandatory fluoridation – poor science/bad law

EDITOR: In a recent article in the Nov. 2 issue of The Daily Review it was noted that I was in opposition of mandatory fluoridation for public water systems. That is absolutely correct, and I am not alone in my opposition. The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association has also taken a stand against mandatory fluoridation. Some members of the association do fluoridate their water and the association feels that should remain a local decision. But the association strongly opposes mandatory fluoridation as a regulatory directive. Among the many good reasons to oppose mandatory fluoridation is that it is mandatory medication. Utility providers such as Troy Borough have a responsibility to provide clean safe potable water to the residents of our community. The community has a right to expect that what comes out of their taps is in fact clean safe water, fluoridation in no way contributes to that goal.

The Daily Review quoted sections of the bill that was introduced by State Rep. Steve Barrar that proclaimed the benefits of fluoridation. What the Review article failed to do was research any opposition to the bill and quote reasons for the opposition. All drugs have side effects and fluoride is no exception (just read the warning label on fluoride toothpaste). In a recent article in Keystone Tap – a publication of Pa. rural water – it was noted that (According to the latest review from the U.S. National Research Council (NRC), exposure to fluoride may weaken bones, cause joint pain, disrupt the thyroid and damage the brain). It was also noted that even the American Dental Association recently issued an advisory that infants should not drink fluoridated water – due to the risk of developing dental fluorosis.

From the point of unfunded government mandates, managers of water utilities constantly struggle to provide the highest possible quality product at the most reasonable cost. Who do you think is going to pay for not only the fluoride, but the system(s) necessary to introduce the appropriate dose of fluoride into a constantly fluctuating water supply? Today Troy Borough would have to fluoridate approximately 130,000 gallons of water each day. Six months ago that number would have been over 200,000. I question not only the ethics but also the economic feasibility of delivering medication through the water system. Consider that the average daily water consumption in the average household is estimated at 250 gallons per/day the majority of that water goes down the drain. Would it not make more sense to put the fluoride on the teeth where the bill claims it will do the most good?

Water treatment is needed to assure that water is safe and clean. Troy Borough utility employees constantly work to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water. Fluoridation is NOT water treatment! Please contact your representative in opposition to House Bill 1649.

Dan Close
TROY BOROUGH MANAGER
http://www.thedailyreview.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2276&dept_id=465725&newsid=18985575&PAG=461&rfi=9

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3) Pennsylvania Neighbors May Be Forced To Put Fluoride In Their Water

Reported by: Naveen Dhaliwal
Email: ndhaliwal@wetmtv.com Last Update: 11/02 8:20 pm

Pennsylvania Neighbors May Be Forced To Put Fluoride In Their Water

WELLSBORO - If you live in the Northern Tier you may not be happy to hear that you're water bills could go up. Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a plan to require your water supply be fluoridated, if it isn't already. It’s safe to say that no one wants to pay more for their bills. Especially water bills. But in Pennsylvania, you may be asked whether the price is worth it to prevent tooth decay.

http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=132434f0-fc62-42ff-9174-7cb3c7f94b0a