Hydrofluosilicic Acid Court Case is Delayed Again
Jeff Green
May 14, 2004

The Constitutional complaint against California Department of Health
Services and City of Escondido for the selection of, and permitting
the use of, hydrofluosilicic acid contaminated with lead and arsenic,
has been delayed again.

After two full days of ruling on 29 specialized motions to limit
testimony, evidence and witnesses, and other court housekeeping,
Judge Jacquiline Stern determined that the time allotted for the
case, which was scheduled to begin on Monday May 17, was not
sufficient for the trial to include determinations by both the jury
and the judge.

Both the California Department of Health Services and the City of
Escondido have agreed and stipulated to the fact that the substance
the City is choosing to add to its water contains lead and arsenic.
Samples of the hydrofluosilicic acid measured by NSF, International,
which provides certification for manufacturers, were reported to
Congress during the House Committee on Science investigation on
fluoride to contain arsenic at levels that will cause 1 additional
cancer in every 1000 residents of Escondido.

The case which was filed in 2001 is now scheduled for 19 days
beginning with jury selection on October 12 and expected to be
concluded on November 10, 2004.

Escondido will not begin fluoridation during this interim.