Fluoride

Background

An article at Rockport Town Meeting (again) asks to stop supplementing fluoride in our water supply.

Fluoride in our water supply is neither toxic nor a poison.

• The proponent of this article cites the toxicity of bags of sodium fluoride powder and claims that this means fluoride in our water supply is toxic and poison (in all capital letters).
• Carlson’s Quarry is one of Rockport’s two raw-water sources. It averages 0.7 mg/L fluoride, which is exactly the level recommended for fluoridation.
• The supplemental fluoride maintains the level at 0.7 mg/L.
• Stopping the supplement would not eliminate fluoride, it would only make it more variable.

The Rockport Board of Health voted to oppose this article.

• The vote was two against and three abstaining.
  Source: Select Board video at 1:17:35.
• The Board of Health provides medical expertise for the Town.

The Rockport Select Board voted to oppose this article.

• The vote was one for, two against and two abstaining.
  Source: Select Board video at 1:58:06.
• The Select Board appoints the Board of Health.
• The Select Board appoints the DPW, who run the water plant.