By Andrew de Souza

Residents call for end to water fluoridation

Jan 24, 2012 | 10:57 AM

A group of Prince Albertans, lead by Maureen Logue are hoping the city will give up water fluoridation citing medical, scientific and freedom of choice issues.

On Monday, Logue made a presentation to city council where she asked the city to keep the city’s fluoridation system offline permanently. Currently, it is offline as renovations go on at the water treatment plant.

“I am a concerned citizen of Prince Albert. I am concerned about the addition of fluoride to our water,” she said.

She said water fluoridation had several potential negative health impacts that included dental fluorosis, risks of dementia, and risks of certain cancers.

Logue cited the work of a Dr. Hardy Limeback, head of the University of Toronto’s preventative dentistry program, who after years of dental practice, switched sides and is now advocating for the end of water fluoridation based on his findings.

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“It’s time for Canada and the few remaining fluoridating countries to recognize that fluoridation is outdated, has serious risks that far outweigh any minor benefits, violates sound medical ethics and denies freedom of choice,” she said.

Logue also pointed out that it was ultimately a freedom of choice issue, since people were receiving a medication without the ability to say no.

She said this was especially troubling because doctors recommend that infants should not use fluoridated water in their formula.

“The fact that low income families are least able to avoid fluoridated water should be enough to convince anyone everyone to stop fluoridating our precious water,” she said.

It was enough to get council to question the logic behind the city’s fluoridation policy. Coun. Lee Atkinson said it was the first time since he came onto to council in 2000 that the issue had been brought up.

“I read the information and quite frankly I don’t know why we’re doing it,” she said. “Maybe we shouldn’t be doing it. I think we have to arrive at some point and get some information. If it’s not mandated, why are we doing it?”

Coun. Greg Dionne was convinced enough to request that a letter be written to the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region to ask for justification of water fluoridation.

Council agreed with him and passed the request for a letter from the region.

We will update this story with a response from the health region when it is made available.

adesouza@panow.com