Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo urged cities and counties statewide to quit adding fluoride to drinking water, a majority of Lakeland’s city commissioners said they would need to learn more before they could vote on the issue.
Kevin Cook Lakeland spokesman said the city began adding fluoride to the drinking water in 1981, with the City Commission approving the measure in a roll-call vote.
“The practice of the addition of fluoride to public drinking has been questioned over the years, but the benefit of prevention of dental caries has been the main reason to continue the practice of fluoride addition,” Cook said.
Lakeland currently adds fluoride at a level of 0.7 milligrams per liter, which is the amount recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service.
Most Lakeland city commissioners said they would need more information before deciding on any formal requests to remove fluoride from the city’s drinking water. Their comments:
- Chad McLeod: “Until now, it really hasn’t come up as an issue during my time on the commission. I need to look into it and study it more.”
- Mike Musick: “Let me be honest, I have never really looked into it. Let me do some research.”
- Bill Mutz, mayor: “I am open to considering same with greater understanding.”
- Stephanie Madden, whose son was born without enamel on his teeth and “has suffered” because of it”. “I would love to hear pros and cons from our water department,” she said.
- Sara Roberts McCarley: “I am open to having a discussion on our water.”
- Guy LaLonde Jr., who said he is leaning toward removing fluoride: “I believe it’s time we revisit this policy. Families deserve access to clean, pure water without unnecessary additives. As a father, husband, and community leader, I feel a responsibility to question practices that may no longer serve us as they once did – or perhaps never did at all. I would like to hear more information before any decision would be made, of course.”
- Bill Read: “I have met with our water department several times addressing trying to stop it.”
Communities in the United States began fluoridating water in the 1940s to prevent cavities, also called caries, in children and adults.