Submitted by nyscof, Aug 29, 2008 07:22

New York City could save millions of dollars - probably $20 million - if they would just stop adding unnecessary and health-robbing fluoride chemicals into the water supply. Fluoridation is a failed attempt to reduce tooth decay. According to research, Harlem residents have the worst tooth decay in the nation. In "Savage Inequaliies" Kozol describes the excrutiating pain children in the Bronx suffer from tooth decay, some with little black stumps instead of teeth. Most fluoridated cities have children suffering with rampant decay. Fluoridation began with the belief that ingested fluoride reduces tooth decay. That's been replaced with scientific fact that fluoride absorbs into teeth topically. However, fluoride's adverse effects occur when swallowed. The cost of fluoridation chemicals (hydrofluosilicic acid), other chemicals used to neutralize hydrofluosilicic's acidity, manpower, equipment repairs and updates, paper work, staff training, etc throughout the five boroughs of New York City must cost close to or above $20 million. Fluoridation chemicals have tripled in price in the past couple of years. All chemicals are rising in price becaue ot the cost of transporting them. NYC could save money, improve the health of New Yorkers while lowering its carbon foorprint just by turning off the valves that shoot fluoride into the water supply. However, it takes the political will to do so. I don't think the NYC city council has that will. Neither does Mayor Bloomberg

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