Fluoride is back on the agenda at Moncton City Council tonight. They are expected to decide whether or not it should be put back into city water.
It was removed in 2011, but back in the spring, local dentists revealed that they have seen a drastic increase in tooth decay since then.
Dr. Suzanne Drapeau-McNally says they are asking for the safe recommended level of 0.7 parts per million, “We’re talking about bringing back a natural product, fluoride, and we’re talking about bringing back a very minimal amount.”
Spokesperson for the group Citizens for Safe Water Olivier Weil says fluoride in our water isn’t necessary, “You do blood and urine samples on Moncton residents, and you would be surprised at how much fluoride they have in their bodies. Every time you drink a can of pop or fruit juice, you are getting fluoride. So when you add it to the water, you adding to peoples overall exposure to fluoride, and in turn they could be getting too much.”
This issue was debated by city councillors in the spring, but it was requested that a decision be delayed until now, so more research could be done.