The Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District is considering sending the question of whether of not the district adds fluoride to the water back out to the people, despite a serious lack of evidence that the mineral credited with protecting against tooth decay causes adverse health effects.
The water district has been adding fluoride to the water supply since 2003, following an affirmative vote by those served within the district the previous year. KKWWD serves Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Wells, Ogunquit, Arundel, and select areas of Biddeford and York.
Now, because a group of citizens is expressing concern about the health effects of fluoridated water, Norm Labbe, superintendent of water district, is considering their request to have a referendum placed on November’s ballot, and visiting local officials to see the sentiment toward such an effort. Labbe told the Kennebunk Board of Selectmen last week that four of the seven towns would need to approve the referendum before it can be on the ballot.
This would be a bad move for the KKWWD and the communities it serves.
There is no real evidence that fluoride in the water supply causes adverse health effects, but there is ample evidence that it helps prevent tooth decay.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has thoroughly vetted this issue, convening a panel of scientists from the across the U.S. government to review new information related to fluoride intake and to develop new recommendations for community water fluoridation in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
The scientists’ research led the DHHS to propose changing the recommended level for community water systems to 0.7 milligrams per liter ”“ the current recommended level is a range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter.
The state of Maine adopted that guidance via the Maine Drinking Water Program’s Feb 29, 2012 rules, which set the target level of fluoride for dental benefit at 0.7 milligrams per liter in drinking water in Maine, for districts that have elected to add it to the supply.
The benefit of adding fluoride to drinking water systems is to reduce the incidence of cavities. While there are certainly negative effects from ingesting too much fluoride, it’s each person’s responsibility to learn about their water source, its mineral and chemical composition and adjust their habits to ensure they are not getting too much fluoride.
The fact of the matter is that the people who don’t want fluoride in their public water supply are likely using anecdotal evidence to support their view and not looking at the overall public health benefit of the issue.
While this issue is up to the public to decide, it seems imprudent that the KKWWD appears to be backing the opposition to fluoride ”“ at least based on the statements made by Labbe at the recent meeting.
Labbe said the water district is supporting resident Jan Hanson’s campaign to remove fluoride from the water, because, “Our primary concerns are the health of our customers and our employees,” said Labbe. “Enough information has come out in the past several years … that add enough doubt to the issue.”
That seems like a bold statement in the face of the information recommended by the CDC and EPA. It’s concerning that the issue is becoming about personal experience and conjecture, rather than scientific evidence, and we hope voters keep this in mind if the issue does make it to the ballot in KKWWD’s service area. It’s important to be well informed on all of the issues on which residents vote, but particularly when it comes to public health issues.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham Rousseau on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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