Fluoride Removal Victory in New Yorkselfnews Post While not all fluoride is bad, the type that has been promoted by dentistry and added to our water and food supply beginning in the 1940s certainly is. Calcium fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, while its synthetic counterpart, sodium fluoride (silicofluoride), is an industrial-grade hazardous waste material made during the production of fertilizer. Its past history includes patented use as rat poison and insecticide. There are many blind- and double-blind studies that show sodium fluoride has a cumulative effect on the human body leading to allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, bone weakening, cancer, and neurological problems, while actually damaging tooth enamel if consumed in high enough quantities. The chart below illustrates that dental fluorosis rates have only risen over the 60 years since its addition to dental products, food and water. A rather biased piece from The Post-Standard features a local dentist who gives his testimony as to the benefits of fluoride he has observed over his 45 years in practice, as well as the position taken by the 20 or so people who did show up for the meeting that comprised mostly people from the dental and healthcare professions. Nevertheless, for Chairman Mike Sacco, he cites Dr. Paul Connetts book The Case Against Fluoride which documents the damaging effects of what winds up in 72% of the nations tap water without their knowledge. As you will see in the video presentation below, Connett also documents how politics often trumps health, especially in the case of Portland, Oregon. Due to monied corporate and political interests, the debate about the health effects vs. benefits of fluoride is sure to rage on, but one thing should remain clear, as Mike Sacco notes, the central issue is one of the right to informed consent; fluoride supplements are still available for those parents who would like to offer them to their children. And it would be a far more honest way to do it. If government wants to end the conspiracy theories, then its very simple: let people research all aspects of the issue and choose for themselves. As the Post notes, while the Pulaski verdict went in favor of the anti-fluoride movement, (in the Posts view due primarily to the Internet) big money and politics is still winning, with 297 communities deciding to add fluoride during the same 12-year time period that 139 have removed it. Meanwhile, we should share the positive news about any community that has voted for the precautionary principle, and let each one of them serve as a point of information and awareness for others to adopt. Let this be a lesson: One person CAN make a difference! Other sources for this article: Additional Resources: Read other articles by selfnews Post Here 