May 19, 2012

The Problem With Fluoride – By: Grassroots Video

May 1, 2012 By

Video by GrassrootsEnvEd (01-May-2012, 2 min. 46 sec.)

The topical application of fluoride is a proven method for protecting teeth from cavities and decay. But there is no scientific evidence that adding industrial grade fluoride to public water supplies is effective, In fact, the opposite may be true.  This is a short, fun, introductory video .

Who is Grassroots?

Grassroots is a New York-based non-profit organization founded in 2000 with a mission to educate the public about the links between common environmental exposures and human health, and to empower individuals to act as catalysts for change within their own communities.

They believe that the cultivation of broad-based public support through education is the key to bringing about positive and lasting change. Their programs are based on science, and their network of environmental experts includes leaders in the field from Yale, Columbia, Harvard, NYU and Tufts Universities, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, among others.

Using modern communication techniques, Grassroots strive to educate the public about environmental health issues in communities across the country by developing materials and programs that bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding.

The work of Grassroots is made possible primarily through generous donations from individual supporters whose lives have been touched by our programs. Additional support has come from the Westchester Community Foundation, the Long Island Community Foundation, the Rauch Foundation and Con Edison. To learn more about Grassroots, or to make a contribution to support their work, please contact their Executive Director Patti Wood.

http://www.grassrootsinfo.org/

Filed Under: Video

Controversy over last fall’s referendum on the fluoridation of water in Waterloo, Ontario made its way to court this morning

December 14, 2011 By


CTV News Southwestern Ontario (14-Dec-2011, 39 sec.)

Region of Waterloo, Ontario — The controversy over last fall’s referendum on the fluoridation of water in Waterloo made its way to court this morning.  Charges were filed against the Ontario Dental Association and two dentists under the Ontario (Municipal) Elections Act.  It’s alleged they broke the rules by campaigning in favour of fluoride without having registered to do so.  The charges were laid after Waterloo resident Robert Fleming, who opposes the treatment, took the allegations to a crown prosecutor. The crown calls this a David and Goliath case, however the defence says it’s a case of intimidation. The issue will be back to court in February.

Filed Under: News, Video

Peter Ormond of Green TV interviews Cindy Mayor (COF-COF Educator) about water fluoridation.

November 29, 2011 By

NewsClipTV.com, Ontario (29-Nov-2011, 12 min. 51 sec.)

Peter Ormond of Green TV interviews Cindy Mayor (Educator, Canadians Opposed to Fluoridation ~ Canadiens Opposés à la Fluoration) about municipal water fluoridation’s diminishing prevalence, lack of efficacy, environmental concerns and potential health harms.

Filed Under: News, Video

Case against ODA fluoride campaign moving forward

August 11, 2011 By

see video

CTV News Southwestern Ontario (11-Aug-2011, 1 min. 20 sec.)

Region of Waterloo, Ontario — The case against the Ontario Dental Association, charged with breaking election laws ahead of the municipal vote on fluoridation last October, is moving forward.

Crown prosecutors and a lawyer for the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) appeared in a Kitchener court Thursday.

The ODA lobbied in defence of fluoridation of the City of Waterloo’s drinking water during a referendum last fall.

However, prosecutors say the group breached the Ontario Municipal Elections Act.

Opponents claim the rules were broken because the ODA campaigned in favour of fluoride, without registering to do so.

Voters narrowly rejected continued fluoridation of municipal water.

The case is closed to the public, and neither the defence nor the prosecution would comment to the media.

Both sides will return to court on Aug. 22 to confirm a trial date.

Filed Under: News, Video

Hazmat Crews Respond To Hydrofluorosilicic Acid Spill At Rock Island Water Treatment Plant

March 24, 2011 By

WQASD News 8 (24-Mar-2011, 1 min. 30 sec.)

Hazmat crews were called to the Rock Island water treatment plant for emergency clean up of the hydrofluorosilicic acid chemical spill leaking from a tanker truck. The chemical was so strong it was burning through the concrete. It’s a highly corrosive chemical that the water treatment plant uses to fluoridate municipal drinking water. Plant employees were evacuated.

Rock Island, Illinois — It was just before one o’clock Thursday afternoon when hazmat crews were called to the Rock Island water treatment plant for a chemical spill coming from a tanker truck.

“It’s a corrosive agent that the water treatment plant uses, overflow caused spillage out of the building onto driveway behind me” said Rock Island assistant fire chief Jeff Yerkey.

As plant employees evacuated, crews began suiting up, working quickly to stop the leak that had begun eating through concrete.

“They stopped the leak using some earthen berms, dirt, sand and commercial boom equipment. We had it pretty much contained to this facility within a short amount of time” said Yerkey.

The chemical, Hydrofluorosilicic acid is used to add fluoride to the plants water. Although it poses a burn risk to skin, those living nearby were in no immediate danger.

“There’s no inhalation hazard at all so no need for us to evacuate the residences.”

After several hours crews were able to clean up the leak, allowing operations to return to normal.

“Had to close off area but as far as treatment of water and amount being used by the public, no effect on it at all” said Yerkey.

No word on how much of the chemical actually spilled.

Filed Under: News, Video

Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader Discusses His Thoughts On Water Fluoridation With Fluoride Action Network

February 11, 2011 By


Fluoride Action Network (11-Feb-2011, 3 min. 42 sec.) www.fluoridealert.org

Long time consumer advocate Ralph Nader discusses his thoughts on water fluoridation with Fluoride Action Network.

Filed Under: Video

Calgary Council Votes Out Fluoridation

February 8, 2011 By

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CTV News Calgary,  Alberta (08-Feb-11, 2 min. 45 sec.)

Calgary’s drinking water will soon be fluoride-free. City aldermen voted by a margin of 10 to 3 on Tuesday to eliminate fluoridation from its water supply.

The issue of whether fluoride should be added to city water had become a divisive topic within the city.

After the city’s Utilities and Environment committee voted 5-1 to exclude fluoride from Calgary’s water supply, some aldermen called for the matter to be put to a plebiscite.

But after spending much of the afternoon Tuesday in heated debate about the issue, council decided not to have a public vote on the matter.

There was a financial aspect to the decision because fluoridation cost the city upwards of $750,000 a year, and millions of dollars more were needed to update the device that injects the fluoride.

But alderman Jim Stevenson said other factors were at play.

“For many of us, it was just whether or not it was ethical to be forcing medication on 100 per cent of the population, a lot of them that don’t want it,” he told CTV’s Power Play.

They also opted not to consult with the expert panel that was offered by the University of Calgary, for free.

Alberta Health says it is disappointed by the council’s decision. It says that while some communities have drinking water with plenty of natural fluoride, Calgary’s natural fluoride level is too low to help prevent cavities.

The region’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Richard Musto, is also disappointed by the decision. He’s argued that fluoride is safe and beneficial in low amounts, and a cost-effective way to improve oral health.

But city resident Elke Babiuk, who has spent more than 20 years fighting water fluoridation, says she’s pleased.

“I think public awareness has grown significantly, especially because of the internet, social media, lots of information out there right now, freedom of choice has always been important as well,” she told CTV Calgary.

Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra, who voted to end fluoridation, says the science just isn’t there to justify water fluoridation.

“I think the health-science view is predicated on a certain approach which I think is no longer entirely relevant. And I encourage health scientists to come forward with a point of view that carries the full view of science but is also more relevant to the sensibilities of the day,” Carra said.

The issue now goes to Alberta Environment, which will have to amend the city’s water licence, which could take several months.
Calgary has held six plebiscites on the issue of fluoridation since 1957, finally deciding in 1989 to begin adding fluoride to the city’s water supply. It started the program two years later.

Many communities in Canada have fluoride in their water supplies, but recent years have seen a backlash by those who question the long-term effects of the compound.

Critics worry that children may now be getting too much of the compound which could lead to fluorosis, a dental condition in which a build-up of fluoride causes unsightly dark splotches on the teeth.

But Dr. Euan Swan, of The Canadian Dental Association, says fluoridation isn’t dangerous in the amounts recommended by Health Canada.

“The weight of evidence tells us, tells Health Canada, that water fluoridation is safe,” he said, and by fighting tooth decay it “provides this lifetime benefit to all members of society.”

The Alberta Dental Association also calls water fluoridation an appropriate and effective public health measure.

Other critics worry whether fluoride can impede brain development in children.

Still others are against fluoridation because they say it’s unethical to distribute a substance to the masses without their full consent, and say fluoridation infringes on their right to choose.

Filed Under: News, Video

Waterloo, Ontario Decommissioning of Fluoridation Equipment – Hydrofluorosilicic Acid

November 29, 2010 By

WaterlooWatch (29-Nov-2011, 1 min. 26 sec.) www.waterloowatch.com

On October 25, 2010 following four long years of campaigning, presentations, forums, and debates; Waterloo, Ontario citizens voted to shut down their 45 year fluoridation practice. Decommissioning of fluoridation equipment and hydrofluorosilicic acid (HFSA) ensued shortly thereafter on November 29, 2010.

What’s the fate of hydrofluorosilicic acid chemical inventory when a municipality decides to end water fluoridation?  Now that it can no longer be diluted into the drinking water supply, remaining hydrofluorosilicic acid reverts back to hazardous waste status once again; requiring licensed, costly, hazardous  waste handling and proper disposal.

Filed Under: Video

Region of Waterloo Council Voted To Turn Fluoridation Off After 50.3% Of Referendum Voters Decided ‘No’ Fluoridation (Hydrofluorosilicic Acid)

November 24, 2010 By

CTV News Southwestern Ontario (24-Nov-10, 29 sec.)

Region of Waterloo — Council has voted to turn fluoridation off after 50.3% of the referendum voters decided ‘No’ to water fluoridation. The fluoridation (hydrofluorosilicic acid) will be turned off at 12:00 Noon November 29, 2010.

Filed Under: News, Video

Region of Waterloo October 25, 2010 Fluoridation Referendum Results Discussed Moments After Artificial Water Fluoridation Voted Out By Slim Margin

October 25, 2010 By

CTV News Sothwestern Ontario (25-Oct-10, 3 min. 10 sec.)

Region of Waterloo, Ontario — Robert J. Fleming (Executive Director, WaterlooWatch) and Dr. Harry Hoediono (President Elect, Ontario Dental Association) comment on the Region of Waterloo October 25, 2010 fluoridation referendum results, moments after artificial water fluoridation was voted out by a slim margin.

Filed Under: Updates, Video
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