Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2005)
cies based on biased science. “We have found that the conclusions drawn by promot- ers are not supported by the hard data,” she says. Most of the fluoride used for water fluor- idation is industrial waste: sodium fluoride, sodium fluorosilicate and fluorosilicic acid from phosphate fertilizer, glass, steel and aluminum production. Unlike organic fluo- rine, these compounds come with pollutant hitchhikers that get a free ride into public water supplies. Rather than paying to dispose of these compounds as hazardous waste, industries sell them to public water utilities. Injecting hazardous industrial waste into the public water supply without FDA regula- tion is, in Campbell’s view, a recipe for dis- aster. “Forcing populations to ingest a med- ication laced with lead and arsenic, a known carcinogen, is antithetical to health,” she says. “Especially for children.” Beyond the question of fluoride’s effects ppm can be toxic to invertebrates, and UO chemistry professor Paul Engelking main- tains that even low concentrations of fluoride in rivers are harmful to salmonids. “I and my students have been measuring the levels of fluoride in Oregon waters since [1997],” Engelking wrote in a letter to former Gov. John Kitzhaber, an avid fly fisherman who supports fluoridation. “We now know with certainty that in some locations, the levels we have measured are high enough to affect fish and other aquatic organisms.” SM OREGON’S LOW DOSE In the 1920s, a dentist named Dr. Frederick McKay noticed that many of his patients in Colorado Springs, Colo., had brown stains mottling their teeth — but they had fewer cavities than most. Research in the 1930s revealed that naturally occurring fluo- ride in the water likely caused both effects. ‘There’s a difficulty in nailing down the facts on these issues. There are a lot of questions as to whether the poten- tial adverse effects of fluoride outweigh the potential bene- fits. In the end, given the uncertainties, a lot of people thought we should leave this to the communities to decide.’ — Sen. Charlie Ringo, chair, Senate Environment and Land Use Committee on the human body is its impacts on the envi- ronment. As with other issues related to flu- oride, credible scientists have different opin- ions. A report published in the September 2004 issue of International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health concludes that fluoridation of the public water supply is safe for the environment as well as for people. But Environment Canada found that fluoride levels higher than 0.12 SM Studies in other communities followed in the ’40s, and by early ’50s, with the blessing of the Public Health Service, dozens of cities were rushing to fluoridate. Today, 60 percent of Americans drink fluoridated water. But Oregon, with only one in five resi- dents drinking fluoridated water, is proving to be among the states most resistant to fluor- idation. Only Utah and Hawaii have lower fluoridation rates. Currently in Oregon, the decision to SM OREGONIZE YOUR DREAMS % FOR 3.99 ® * APR Wake up and smell the money. FLUORIDE’S RUN THROUGH SALEM Our Home Equity Line of Credit A chronology of fluoride action this legislative session comes with a super low rate for Fall 2004: The Oregon Health Policy Commission recommends a state mandate on water fluoridation. the first 6 months. Plus, no closing Feb. 24, 2005: Senate Bill 852 (the Water Quality Assurance Act), requiring the Food and Drug Administration’s approval for all substances being added to the public water supply, is referred to the Senate’s Environment and Land Use Committee, chaired by Sen. Charlie Ringo (D-Beaverton). March 7, 2005: House Bill 2426, declaring a dental health emergency and allowing dental hygienists to prescribe fluoride, passes unanimously through the House and is referred to the Senate Health Policy committee. costs. No annual fee until 2007. It’s a limited time offer, so act now. You snooze, you lose. March 29, 2005: House Bill 2025, requiring cities with more than 10,000 residents to add fluoride to the public water supply, passes in the House by a 36-22 vote. The bill is referred to the Senate’s Environment and Land Use Committee. April 2005: The committee holds public hearings on HB 2025, HB 2426 and SB 852. Oregonize Your Life. ® Proponents and opponents of fluoridation offer vehement testimony. April 21, 2005: HB 2426 passes unanimously in the Senate. May 2005: Former Gov. John Kitzhaber, current Gov. Ted Kulongoski and the Healthy Smiles Coalition encourage a state mandate on fluoridation. Numerous envi- ronmental groups and Oregon city governments oppose it, urging the Senate to keep fluoridation under local control. 541.687.2347 • 800.365.1111 www.OregonCommunityCU.org May 13, 2005: Kulongoski signs HB 2426 into law. June 2005 : The Environment and Land Use Committee closes for the session without reaching resolutions on pro-fluoridation bill HB 2025 or anti-fluoridation bill SB 852. — Kera Abraham *Fixed Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for 6 months, then variable based on the Prime Rate (as published in the Wall Street Journal) plus/minus a margin. APR based on Loan to Value and credit qualification. Minimum $5,000 line of credit, $50 annual fee. Minimum APR is 3.50%, maximum 18%. Oregon Community CU will pay all closing costs (excludes appraisal). Estimated closing costs may be up to $1346 for $500,000 loan. Prepayment penalty may be assessed if credit line closed within 12 months of opening. Credit Union membership required. Minimum $5,000 advance of new money. Other terms and conditions may apply. JULY 21, 2005 11
