" Re: "Please Explain" March 23 Here in central Florida, near Tampa are the phosphate mines and fertilizer industries, souce of fluoridation agents. "The Geology of Florida", 1997, Univ. Press of Florida, page 143 reports: "In addition to uranium, fluorine is an economical byproduct of phosphoric-acid production. The fluorine from the rock reacts with silica to form SiF4 gas. During acid production this gas is recovered as fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6) in wet scrubbers that are part of the environmental-protection equipment. Fluorosilicic acid is widely used in prepartion of chemical compounds and in the treatment of public drinking water." "

" Can someone explain to me please, with our water supply, we water the yard, do the laundry, shower and bathe and we drink the water. Why should we fluoridate everything for a glass of water. Is there so much of it that the government has to get rid of it, or is it good for the environment too.? "

" Microminority and bottom feeders, wow, someones good at name calling. Man has been drinking non artifically fluoriated (aka. natural water) for 4.9 million years. Part of the country has been drinking artifically fluoridated water for 50 years. We have no idea what effects fluoridating the water will have down the line. Your teeth may be fine, but who knows the effects on your physiology. "

" Our water system has been flouridated for decades, yet nobody has any provable health problems directly connected to it, our teeth are just fine thank you, and the groundswell of negative comments are out of fear and the overwhelming need to complain by a microminority of bottom-feeders that just plain don't get it. Add flouride now...your teeth will thank you. "

" I grew up in a big city, had fluoride in our water system, and had up to 6 cavities every six months. Brushed my teeth twice a day and, against my wishes, didn't have access to many sweets. Genetics play a part in tooth decay. Please keep fluoride out of our public water system. Thank you. "

" You should note that the Feds require phosphate sources for ANIMAL feed to be defluorinated. Yet, we have people wanting to drink something that you can't (and shouldn't) feed to livestock. Using drinking water for a toxic dump for the fertilizer and feed industries should stop now. Take a pill for all the fluoride you want, just stop polluting drinking water. "

" Ireland is now in it's 4th year of smoke free public places. After the doom and gloom predictions of the pub owners and others, it has proven to be an almost universally acclaimed success. It is fantastic to go to a pub, concert or other event and not come out smelling like an ash-tray! Even smokers approve, they say they meet a whole new circle of friends in the smokers enclaves outside the venues!!! Unlike some, they mostly accept that they cannot impose their smoke and health damaging practices on others. "

" Thank you. I agree that the cynical concept of mass medication and toxic waste dumping known as fluoridation is a world -wide problem (at least in Ireland, US, Canada, NZ and Australia where it is practiced) wherever it raises its ugly head, and that it does not matter where one lives - if you have some knowledge about the situation and you see people in danger, you try to help. Not doing so is an abrogation of responsibility. It seems that people who want this is their water are looking for the State to stop their caries, are they reluctant to ensure a proper dental regime and diet for themselves? Don't they realise that if you look after your teeth you don't need additives, especially in public water, to do the job you should be doing yourself? Is it just laziness? If they spent even three days researching this subject -say starting with Christopher Bryson's well researched book "The Fluoride Deception" (Video here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7319752042352089988&pl=true ) maybe they would start to see that the claims of the fluoride lobby revolve around something way beyond teeth. Why was the ADA AGAINST fluoridation until 1952?! They had discovered fluoride effects on the public in the 1920's. Unfortunately, there are just some people who want government to do everything for them without regard to the rights of others, especially those who try to educate themselves, regard their and their family members bodies as temples and are very aware of the pollutive effects of this hydrofluorosilicic acid. Buy a toothbrush and cut down on the sugar instead of trying to medicate everybody, that is the lazy way. SUGGESTED READING FOR THE INTERESTED & CONCERNED: Christopher Bryson – The Fluoride Deception Barry Groves – Fluoride: Drinking Ourselves to Death? WEBSITES: www.kildare.ie/healthfitness/2006/12/fluoride_in_water.html -very interesting look at all the physical effects of fluoride http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller17.html - A Doctors View -in plain English www.fluoridealert.org www.voiceireland.org http://www.nofluoride.com http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/84/i13/8413notw8.html -what the chemical companies say http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/fluoridnew.htm -what the York Report REALLY said http://www.ewg.org/issues/fluoride/20060322/index.php -analysis of baby FL intake http://www.just-think-it.com/no-f.htm - just one of many scientists’ view http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=25017 - leaching of lead due to FL http://www.actionpa.org/fluoride/aluminum.html - links with Alzheimers http://www.fluoridenews.blogspot.com/ http://www.taxtyranny.ca/images/HTML/Fluoride/Fluoride31.html - Prof.Paul Connett http://www.rvi.net/~fluoride/000072.htm - Dr. Don MacAuley – Irish Dentist http://www.purewatergazette.net/fluorideinformation.htm - DoHC Hiding Report? http://bruha.com/pfpc/ - A parents view site http://www.waterwatchofutah.com/thecontroversy.htm - U.S. Community concern http://www.zerowasteamerica.org/ZWAReports11-2-98.htm LEARN – INFORM – CAUSE CHANGE EUES Ireland "

" I think he was stating facts, and who cares where he lives. He is just giving us information on a subject I think you know little about. I bet if he agreed with you, you would not be so nasty. "

" Wow! A lot of information and opinions from someone who doesn't even live here. How are those smoke free pubs going over there? "

" Wow thank you Ireland for that information. I hope it makes us think. "

" Good Day! In relation to remarks about Ireland & fluoridation: 76% of public water is fluoridated and has been since 1964 after a 4 year case was taken by a citizen fighting it on the basis of individual freedom was brought all the way to the Supreme Court. As the only European country fluoridating by statute you would think that we would be number one in the European caries league, but we are 6th, behind 5 non-fluoridating countries. Even in the US, Utah has the lowest fluoridation AND the lowest caries rate. Ireland does though, have some of the highest heart disease rates, increasing Alzheimer's Disease rates and 40% higher levels of bone cancer in young men than non-fluoridated Northern Ireland! To say there is a very strong debate going on at this time is quite accurate. Recently, an Expert Fluoridation Forum institued by the government advised reducing the fluoridation rate from 1ppm to 0.6-0.8 ppm, a 25% reduction. Interesting as up until the last couple of years the ADA claimed that fluoridation under 0.7ppm had no effects! They have quietly dropped that claim, as public pressure causes governments to look at reducing the levels of hydrofluorosilicic acid added to water. A Dept of Health & Children committee has examined the situation and is considering advising that this toxic waste dumping known as fluoridation be ceased altogether. For those who still believe that fluoride makes bones and teeth stronger here is just the latest of many articles by professionals (in this case a pediatrician from Bangor, Maine) showing the fluoride claims up as false and misleading. http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/viewpoints.aspx?articleid=147576&zoneid=35 "

" I dont think you need to correct every ones spelling. I think you need to settle down and find another hobbie. I hope I didnt miss spell anything for you to complain about. "

" Are you sure that F-L-U-O-R-I-D-E has that many hyphens in it? I thought flour was spelled flower. Not I'm so confused. Can someone please help me. How do we do a spell check? oops, now I spelled now wrong. I better just quit blogging all together. Just a side note though, someone else on the blog is having a little trougble with their spelling also. Maybe Mr. Spellcheck could help them two. Thank you so much for correcting my blunder. Now I'm going on too long. Did I pass the word limit? Help me Mr. Word Limit Man. "

" When was the most recent water analysis in Holmen and what were the findings? "

" Would you please learn how to spell "fluoride"? You misspell it in every one of your posts. It is not spelled "flouride". Flour is a baking ingredient. It is spelled F-L-U-O-R-I-D-E. "

" I didn't know that, the people I 've met from England did not have bad teeth. How about all the other countries that don't fluoridate, do they have nasty teeth too? Did you know that the ADA states that dentist's typically make 17% more income in fluoridated communities. Did you also know that 80% of dental caries are in 25% of the population, and that population is usaully people of low socioeconomic status. Simply stated, these people don't have access to dental insurance because most dentists won't except medical assitance. Their answer, fluoridated everybody regardless of need. I don't like that approach. "

" The difference is that in England they have national health care coverage. The poster's pointed question was directed at the fact that the English have (at least stereotypically) bad teeth. "

" I guess it would matter if we lived in England but since we live in Holmen, what difference does it make? "

" The only 3 western European countries which still practice water fluoridation are Ireland (100%), Spain (10%), and the United Kingdom (11%). In Ireland, the most fluoridated country in Europe, and one of only two countries in the world (Ireland & Singapore) with a nationally mandated fluoridation program, there is a mounting national campaign to end the practice. In the UK, a recent effort to fluoridate Scotland stalled out due to fierce opposition. Other countries that have rejected fluoridation are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. Don't Fluoridate! "

" Does England fluoridate their water?? Hmmmm? "

" That's a good one. I know you are joking, but there is a interesting point to your joke. A few years ago the FDA began requiring some dyes to be listed on all food and personal hygiene products. Guess why? New research linked yellow and red dyes to numerous neurological disorders. I say we leave the water alone, in fact, we need to make it cleaner. No Fluoridation. "

" I was really hoping to get up this morning and find that the village had added some green dye to our tap water. I think this situation about adding stuff to our water supply could get real handy and fun. I guess there's not a big enough Irish population in Holmen yet. Maybe next year. This could be kind of fun- by the way, dye is safe and cheap isn't it? "

" I agree. There are a lot of better things that we could do with our tax money than to stick it into something so controversial. (yes, I know some of you will say this is not a controversial topic but look into the new research please). It took 40 years to realize that fluoride was not safe for infants. What will we find out in the next 40 years? Let's put fluoride on hold. "

" There are too many concerns with fluoridation. I have read alot of good points. Error on the side of caution, fluoride is affordable and available everywhere. We really don't even know how much we are getting currently through toothpaste, foods, drinks etc... Why are we blindly accepting the concept that we need more. Holmen's community and people are thriving, NO FLUORIDATION please! I would encourage the Board to take a stand on this issue, be leaders, this is a personal choice. "

" No matter how simple you try to make it, it is not that simple. I don't want my family to have fluoride(actually the additive they are calling fluoride that will be put in our drinking water). If my kids want to drink from the fountain at school they will get fluoride. If they are at a friends house and have a glass of water, they will get fluoride. The list goes on and on. It is not as simple as going out and buying a couple of gallons of water. For you it is simple though-take a fluoride tablet. "

" My point which maybe I did not explain well enough (what do you do with your flouridated water?). Could we see ecological damage years from now? Yes you can buy flouridated water and drink it but should we be watering our lawns and flushing it down our toilets. Flouride does not break down, it will slowly accumulate in the environment. My point is maybe it is good for your teeth but is it good for are lawns, food, livestock, rivers the list goes on and on. "

" Fluoridation studies have only focused tooth decay. The studies say that almost 100% of the benefits of fluoride are TOPICAL (ie. direct application to the teeth). That is why it is not recommended for chilren until their teeth erupt. No studies have been done on the long term effects of fluoridation on the human body. What may be helpful for one part of the body, may have very negitive effects on others. "

" What chemicals are you adding to improve the health of your body? People died at earliers ages because of the environment in which they lived and the lack of medical technology. "

" You got it backwards, wow. Teeth and bones falling apart if water is not fluoridated, that's hysterical. Excess fluoride has been proven, in a Harvard study to cause bone fractures. Mayo used to use to help speed up the bone healing process untill they discover that it made the bones so brittle that it increased fractures. "

" I agree with your post, very nicely put! "

" C'mon people, "What do you do with fluoridated water?" Stick to the point which is about the pros and cons of consuming it-not bathing in it, or watering the plants with it. I thought this was an educated discussion. Does anyone have a statistic on how many US residents have fluoridated drinking water and how many of those residents have been effected by fluoride poisoning? Or, how many cases of fluoride poisoning there have been in Wisonsin? When was the last water analysis done in Holmen and what were the findings? "

" For those of you insisting on your "right" not to drink flouridated water, go ahead and choose not to--bottled water is always available. But please don't expect the rest of us to pay for your poor health choices through our higher insurance premiums because your teeth are rotting and your bones fall apart as you get older. Why should taxpayers foot the bill for people who refuse to accept the benefits offered at a very inexpensive cost? "

" Umm, do you always believe everything the CDC says? I certainly don't! The fact is, flouride is a poison. It has to be tested EVERY DAY, unlike chlorine which is tested once EVERY WEEK. What does that tell you? http://essenes.net/flouride.html http://reliableanswers.com/a/?/Health scroll to flouride section. Get yourself educated! "

" And it wasn't that long ago that a person's life expectancy was 40. That and I bet they died without a tooth in their heads! We are an educated society and have learned that there are certain chemicals that need to be added for health reasons and certain chemicals that will improve the health of our bodies. AND... oh my God! We have learned to have our children vaccinated. Did you not learn anything? If we do not learn from our past we are destined to repeat it! "

" Yes. I have to purchase fluoridated water to bring into my home. I use it for drinking - mainly but also cooking. Do laundry or take a bath? Not quite. It's kind of hard to run it through the hot water heater. I drink it because of it's benefits as do the rest of my family. "

" We are trying to "liberate" Iraq to preserve our "right" to cheap and easy petroleum products. Didn't anyone tell you? "

" You forgot to finish the statement, "God bless America, land of the free, and home of the referendum". Majority rule does not apply for personal healthcare decisions. "

" I'll tell you how vaccinations are different; they are not mandatory, and many people choose not to vaccinnate these days. Statistics show that those who do not vaccinate are usually professionals with advanced college degrees. Second, vaccinations are usaully aimed at diseases that can not be controled by proper hygiene, unlike dental caries. Third, informed consent must be granted with all risks from the process explained. Forth, funds are available for people injured from the vaccinations....Civilized society gives people rights, it does not take them away. Why do you think the wall came down in East Germany and why do you think we are trying to liberate Iraq. "

" God bless America, land of the free! "

" In the state of Wisconsin you can sign a waiver if you care not to vaccinate your children. It is your personal choice. "

" OK, if we have required vaccinations for a number of diseases (MMR, etc.), then how is it any different to administer fluoride through the water system for the public's health? Everybody blathers about rights anytime there's something they disagree with. There aren't all that many absolute rights. That's the price of living in a civilized society. "

" Do you when you get your flouridated water, take a bath in it, water your house plants, cook with it, and do laundry? Just wondering. "

" You people have been busy. We all have the right to voice our opinions thanks to our freedom of speech. That is what our forefathers fought and died for so we could have our personal freedoms. Let's not disgrace them and force people that do not want fluoride to take fluoride. I like to think of Holmen as a different and unique place to live. I don't care what other areas fluoridated their water. We don't have to jump on the bandwagon. This issue shouldn't really be about fluoride. It is about personal choice. I'd like to make my own please! "

" Sounds like a communist or is it dictator? "

" How dare you accuse me of be obstinate! I just want to force everybody to drink fluoridated water, regardless of how they feel. "

" I think it is perfectly clear that we do not know the outcome of consuming flouridated water ( not enough study has been done) but we do know it is a waste product and if some people prefer to drink waste go for the gusto. I think we can live with a cavity or two. Proper dental hygeine is important. Do you really think you are saving the children and the community from dental decay? Or are you just being obstinate. "

" Do you know how you can tell if a person is from Holmen, they don't have any teeth! Be real people. According to the CDC's study on better dental health, when you live in a community where most people have proper dental hygene, the statistical differance in carie reduction by adding fluoridation is minuet. "

" I agree, start with the bottom line "Do you give up your right to make individual healthcare decisions?" "

" Now you are sterotyping people who want to make thier own decision on what chemicals to put in their bodies as "people who are trying to save the world". I think you better take a break from the computer now. I can tell you that if I were trying to save the world I would start with education, not fluoridation. Speaking of education, let me give a few quotes to swallow: "using fluoridated toothpaste is as effective as fluoridation", "there is no studies demonstrating the amount of fluoride that is actually being ingested", "the majority of the healthiest countries in the world have rejected fluoridation", "fluoridation is a grade 2 efficacy and fluoridated toothpaste is a grade 1"etc..... Did you know that scientists estimate the man has been around for 4-5 million years. For about 4,999,950 years the water has not been chemically modified. I wonder what the long term effects of chemically altering our water might be. Why do you feel you have the right to force me to drink fluoridated water? "

" Don't assume people don't purchase fluoridated water...I do have fluoridated drinking water delivered because of its dental benefits-that's my choice. You might be right that most people don't purchase fluordated water, that's because most municipalities provide it to their residents. I'm more grossed out about the "other" stuff found in tap water than I am about fluoride. Doesn't anyone's skin itch from the hard water? "

" Who died and made you God? Where do you get off thinking that you know everything and that it's okay for you to talk about fluoride but someone else's opinion doesn't matter? How rude! I agree with the other person. Why would they have to market fluoridated water if no one was even buying it? "

" I understand all too well that people like you think you can save the world by not putting fluoride in the drinking water. And yes, I do buy fluoridated drinking water. And yes, I do understand what I am talking about and I have the right to my opinion. What's your excuse? Do you even live in Holmen??? Do you even have children??? "

" The differance is that I have a choice weather or not to smoke, drink pepsi or use fluoridated toothpaste. I doubt that too many people are going out and buying fluoridated water. Oh yeah, soda has been linked to dental caries, diabetes, and obesity. You have the right to your opinion, but don't talk about something you obviously don't understand. "

" No studies have been done on the effects of drinking Pepsi either but I bet you still drink soda! It was never stated that the dr's should raise the babies, but rather it was the dr's job to inform parents about fluoridation in babies formula if they see this as a risk. Don't put words into other people's mouths! No one is forcing you to drink fluoridated water. Just go to the grocery store and buy it, like the people who have wanted fluoridated water have had to do. Do you even live in Holmen??? "

" Thanks for making my point, it's funny that you can't even see it. I don't smoke, I don't like to be around smokers, do I think it should be publically banned, NO. That would take away the rights of those who choose to smoke. You want fluoride, it's all yours, I don't want, so don't force your ideals on me. It's not the Doctor's job to raise your child, nor is it your job or the village board's job to take away my option for non-fluorided water. As far as the benefits to society goes, some studies have shown decreased dental caries, most conducted before 1980 and of poor quality. No studies have been done to show how fluoridation effects our bodies in the long term, PERIOD, none! "

" Interesting that you should put smoking issues along with fluoride concerns. It's also interesting that while smoking infringes on my rights to breathe clean air, it didn't pass in Onalaska. I am for fluoride in the water. Not because I have been brain washed and not because I am entering into this blindly. I have done my research and talked to my medical and dental doctors. The benefits to us as a society far outweigh any of the statistics you can come up with. I am a resident of Holmen and am amazed that a town that is growing and has so many families with young children is so afraid of change. As for the babies with fluoridated formula. Let the dr.'s do their job. That's what they are there for. "

" Who is going to be responsible for informing new parents that if they use formula with their newborn that they cannot use the tap water to make it with. Read the new ADA guidelines. Infants should not be exposed to fluoridated water. If fluoride is not safe for the entire population then it should not be added to our water. Who will be responsible for the lawsuits when parents start suing the village for dental fluorosis? "

" Why does anybody want to turn fluoridation into a referendum. A majority vote for increasing taxes to fund a new school is one thing. Forcing people to ingest something that they believe is wrong is another. Unfortunately, the concept of fluoridation has become so ingrained that people support it with blind faith and don't consider the flaws in the underlying principle of mass medication and human rights violations. Look at this way, if you don't smoke, you probably don't like to be trapped in a car with someone who is smoking. How would you like the village to hold a referendum that would force you to be exposed to second hand smoke everytime you breathed the air in Holmen. I don't think you would, that would surely infringe on your rights. People and village board members who are pro-fluoride know that referendums and polls usually go their way because it is difficult to change long standing ideas and it is difficult for people to actually reframe this subject. The end result, referendums and polls give you good information for majority rule issues. Taking away the healthcare choices of individuals should not be majority rule. If there is a vote or a poll, the only question should be "do you give up your right to make individual healthcare decisions?" "

" The only education most Americans get about fluoride is from TV commercials. Most Americans don't read newspapers anymore. And most Holmen residents probably are very busy doing their own jobs assuming their legislators are doing theirs to protect their homes and families. Before any vote (which is not fair to those who KNOW fluoride is harmful to their children and neighbors), every Holmen resident must receive pro and con statements with their water bills, from a legislative mailing, or some other means. Don't assume Holmen residents don't care because, when they do find out what fluoridation is all about, they are sure to be livid that fluoride is in their water supply - kept in by a legislature that's afraid to tackle the issue themselves. If the Environmental Protection Agency says the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) of arsenic and lead is zero, what right do legislators have to put arsenic and lead-tainted fluoride chemicals into Holmen's drinking and cooking water - no matter how small the amount is? Why pay government officials to do studies, reports and issue warnings and create MCLG's to determine what's safe, if we are going to thumb our noses at taxpayer funded advice? Even many dentists are shocked to find out that fluoridation chemicals are derived from phosphate fertilizer waste products and can be contaminated with 11 different toxins. "

" I am from Holmen and am for fluoridating the water. There are many of us who agree that this is a beneficial thing to do and our voices will be heard! "