Winter Haven officials have voted to stop adding fluoride to the city’s drinking water out of concern for the potential negative health impact on young children’s developing brains.
Commissioners voted 3-2 on Tuesday night to discontinue adding fluoride to the city’s water supply by Jan. 1, or “as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.” Mayor Nathaniel Birdsong Jr. and Commissioner Clifton Dollison were the two votes against.
The practice of adding fluoride to water has become a topic of debate after a federal court ruling in the case of Food and Water Watch versus the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in September. The court called on the EPA to strengthen its regulation of fluoride in drinking water as it poses “unreasonable risk of injury to health or environment.”
“I can get false teeth if needed. I only have one brain,” Winter Haven resident Hannah Bush said.
Commissioner Brad Dantzler said the court’s decision was a key reason for asking the city to re-evaluate its practices.