Halvorson proposal to eliminate naturally occurring mineral supported by Bellevue dentist, but local MDs defend the practice and call his claims 'gish galloping'
Halvorson is the tip of the insane messaging that the extreme conservative movement is tossing against the wall to see if it sticks. We have to hear it daily (make that minute by minute) from conservative reps and senators and the man at the top (God help us).
We cannot let these extremists dictate what is best for the people of Longview. If a "health" expert, such as Robt Kennedy and his ilk begin to dismantle our public health system and recommendations then we are a broken and sinking population without a life preserver. I am a no vote on removing fluoride from our water system. I suggest removing the angry uneducated people from our city council.
I worked as a toxicologist for 27 years. For the last 400+ years, 99+% of all toxicologists rely on the dictum of the “Father of Toxicology” (Paracelsus) who said that “all things are toxic; it is the dose that makes the poison.” Yes. Fluoride is toxic at a high enough dose, just like salt, sugar, coffee, and all other things. Even water can be toxic at a high enough dose; there are (not many) records of people dying of an overdose of ingested water. The level of fluoride put into drinking water systems is well below levels that cause toxicity. High solar radiation causes blisters; low solar radiation helps maintain healthy vitamin D levels. The proposed amount (dose) of fluoride in the water is good for teeth; a much much higher amount (dose) is toxic.
When I was watching Osmunson’s presentation it felt like I was watching the shopping channel and the Pillow Guy was trying to get me to buy a dozen pillows and not believe that there’s a safe alternative to feathers.
Thank you, I grew up on well water in Eastern WA and my mom put fluoride drops in our orange juice to help our teeth. I don't think it affected my IQ, though some people might disagree! Please, turn to science for answers, not public opinion.
I support fluoride 100%. I lived many years on well water before fluoride. Currently living on city water I use a BRITT FILTER because I do not like the chloride (?) smell…. QUESTION; DOES THIS TAKE FLORIDE OUT OF WATER?
THINKING OF GRANDKIDS, their parents also use filters, WE WANT FLORIDE, are we taking it out?
Please refer to Chapter 2 Longview City Council 2.1
Fundamentally, the powers of the city council are to be utilized for the good of the community and its residents; to provide for the health, safety and general welfare of the citizenry.
Please refer to Chapter 2 Longview City Council 2.1
Fundamentally, the powers of the city council are to be utilized for the good of the community and its residents; to provide for the health, safety and general welfare of the citizenry.
Low income families tend to eat very poor diets (many middle to high income families do as well) with high sugar intake which impact their oral microbiome. Poor dental hygiene is another contributing factor. Believing in fluoride as the end all be all, the savior and preventer of cavities is false and ignores other major factors that lead to poor dental health. Harsh chemicals including sodium fluoride eliminate the beneficial bacteria needed for a healthy oral microbiome.
Public water fluoridation is mass medication. Should statins or Vitamin D be injected into the public water system because one supposedly lowers cholesterol and the other improves the immune system?
It is not the municipal government’s responsibility to provide dental care for a portion of the population while another portion doesn’t want or require medical overreach. And this isn’t a conservative issue nor should it be a political issue but it seems that is what it’s about. Just to be clear, if you think the government cares about your health I have a bridge to sell you!
Even if conservatives cannot be swayed by the argument that fluoride in the water prevents dental pain and lifelong teeth issues for children can't they at least acknowledge how fiscally irresponsible removing fluoride would be? Removing this would disproportionately impact low income families, the dental bills that come in from families on assistance would vastly overcome any cost savings from removing it.
I had a reverse osmosis system and used todder toothpaste which doesn't have flouride ( in case the kiddo eats a tube of it). 3 year old ended up with 6 cavities:( That will be the experience of many children in this community if we remove the flouride from the water.
Andre, I just reread your well articulated and researched article that followed the 1/30/2025 City Council Workshop on Water Fluoridation. Also, the comments from your readers were thoughtful and intelligent. All are in support of Longview’s water fluoridation program..
I urge folks to attend the City Council’s Public Hearing on this issue at 6 pm next Thursday, 2/27/2025 at City Hall. Please come to show your support for water fluoridation and by all means, make comments in person if comfortable ( 2 minutes allowed for each comment). You can also comment virtually by registering ahead with the City Clerk: Tiffany.Ostreim@ci.longview.wa.us
And, if you haven’t signed a petition in support of Longview’s water fluoridation program please visit: www.healthylongviewsmiles.com
The claim that fluoridation harms IQ is based on studies that are unreliable because they use an invalid measure of fluoride exposure - spot urine. Since at least 2011, it has been clear that neither spot urine nor even 24 hour urine samples can be used to measure contemporary fluoride exposure. Such studies should be retracted because they are invalid and confusing to the general public including to a judge.
Here is an article explaining the spot urine problem. It also explains how the studies that use the MIREC (a Canadian data set that has not been released for reanalysis by other researchers) cannot be used to measure IQ. Different raters were used in every city and there were no validation checks offered. https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/587830424/cdoe.12954.pdf
Halvorson is the tip of the insane messaging that the extreme conservative movement is tossing against the wall to see if it sticks. We have to hear it daily (make that minute by minute) from conservative reps and senators and the man at the top (God help us).
We cannot let these extremists dictate what is best for the people of Longview. If a "health" expert, such as Robt Kennedy and his ilk begin to dismantle our public health system and recommendations then we are a broken and sinking population without a life preserver. I am a no vote on removing fluoride from our water system. I suggest removing the angry uneducated people from our city council.
One of the best pieces you have ever written. Comprehensive and fully detailed.
I would add the question that Angie Wean asked to the pro fluoride panel. How come there weren't any anti fluoride doctors or pediatricians speaking.
The answer was, we asked a lot of other pediatricians and doctors, but none of them wanted to speak against it.
I worked as a toxicologist for 27 years. For the last 400+ years, 99+% of all toxicologists rely on the dictum of the “Father of Toxicology” (Paracelsus) who said that “all things are toxic; it is the dose that makes the poison.” Yes. Fluoride is toxic at a high enough dose, just like salt, sugar, coffee, and all other things. Even water can be toxic at a high enough dose; there are (not many) records of people dying of an overdose of ingested water. The level of fluoride put into drinking water systems is well below levels that cause toxicity. High solar radiation causes blisters; low solar radiation helps maintain healthy vitamin D levels. The proposed amount (dose) of fluoride in the water is good for teeth; a much much higher amount (dose) is toxic.
When I was watching Osmunson’s presentation it felt like I was watching the shopping channel and the Pillow Guy was trying to get me to buy a dozen pillows and not believe that there’s a safe alternative to feathers.
Totally agree! You’re always able to find some fringe medical professionals to agree with these scare tactics. Trust science!
Thank you, I grew up on well water in Eastern WA and my mom put fluoride drops in our orange juice to help our teeth. I don't think it affected my IQ, though some people might disagree! Please, turn to science for answers, not public opinion.
Thank you for making clear what Halvorson and his “expert” made confusing.
I support fluoride 100%. I lived many years on well water before fluoride. Currently living on city water I use a BRITT FILTER because I do not like the chloride (?) smell…. QUESTION; DOES THIS TAKE FLORIDE OUT OF WATER?
THINKING OF GRANDKIDS, their parents also use filters, WE WANT FLORIDE, are we taking it out?
Thank you
Helen leith.
No. Britta filters do not remove fluoride from city water. Thank you for subscribing and commenting!
Only a Reverse-Osmosis (RO) system removes the fluoride. The size of the fluoride ion is small enough that passes through the Britta filter.
Andre,
Please refer to Chapter 2 Longview City Council 2.1
Fundamentally, the powers of the city council are to be utilized for the good of the community and its residents; to provide for the health, safety and general welfare of the citizenry.
Andre,
Please refer to Chapter 2 Longview City Council 2.1
Fundamentally, the powers of the city council are to be utilized for the good of the community and its residents; to provide for the health, safety and general welfare of the citizenry.
Low income families tend to eat very poor diets (many middle to high income families do as well) with high sugar intake which impact their oral microbiome. Poor dental hygiene is another contributing factor. Believing in fluoride as the end all be all, the savior and preventer of cavities is false and ignores other major factors that lead to poor dental health. Harsh chemicals including sodium fluoride eliminate the beneficial bacteria needed for a healthy oral microbiome.
Public water fluoridation is mass medication. Should statins or Vitamin D be injected into the public water system because one supposedly lowers cholesterol and the other improves the immune system?
It is not the municipal government’s responsibility to provide dental care for a portion of the population while another portion doesn’t want or require medical overreach. And this isn’t a conservative issue nor should it be a political issue but it seems that is what it’s about. Just to be clear, if you think the government cares about your health I have a bridge to sell you!
Even if conservatives cannot be swayed by the argument that fluoride in the water prevents dental pain and lifelong teeth issues for children can't they at least acknowledge how fiscally irresponsible removing fluoride would be? Removing this would disproportionately impact low income families, the dental bills that come in from families on assistance would vastly overcome any cost savings from removing it.
I had a reverse osmosis system and used todder toothpaste which doesn't have flouride ( in case the kiddo eats a tube of it). 3 year old ended up with 6 cavities:( That will be the experience of many children in this community if we remove the flouride from the water.
Andre, I just reread your well articulated and researched article that followed the 1/30/2025 City Council Workshop on Water Fluoridation. Also, the comments from your readers were thoughtful and intelligent. All are in support of Longview’s water fluoridation program..
I urge folks to attend the City Council’s Public Hearing on this issue at 6 pm next Thursday, 2/27/2025 at City Hall. Please come to show your support for water fluoridation and by all means, make comments in person if comfortable ( 2 minutes allowed for each comment). You can also comment virtually by registering ahead with the City Clerk: Tiffany.Ostreim@ci.longview.wa.us
And, if you haven’t signed a petition in support of Longview’s water fluoridation program please visit: www.healthylongviewsmiles.com
Thanks!
Thank you for your overview.
The claim that fluoridation harms IQ is based on studies that are unreliable because they use an invalid measure of fluoride exposure - spot urine. Since at least 2011, it has been clear that neither spot urine nor even 24 hour urine samples can be used to measure contemporary fluoride exposure. Such studies should be retracted because they are invalid and confusing to the general public including to a judge.
Here is an article explaining the spot urine problem. It also explains how the studies that use the MIREC (a Canadian data set that has not been released for reanalysis by other researchers) cannot be used to measure IQ. Different raters were used in every city and there were no validation checks offered. https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/587830424/cdoe.12954.pdf