A local group is calling on Lethbridge city council to revisit the issue of water fluoridation.
The group called ‘Fluoride Free Lethbridge’ is already out with an online campaign to reopen the debate over what they call health and ethical concerns.
Spokesperson Mark Benson tells Global News, citizens should have the right to choose whether or not to ingest fluoride.
“We shouldn’t be forced to consume a drug or a medication put into our drinking water unless we consent to it,” he says.
Lethbridge councilor Faron Ellis voted in favor of removing the chemical form tap water but was defeated in a five-to-four vote in April of 2011.
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He says the group has every right to reappear before council or initiate a petition, but adds no new information has come forward to have the issue revisited.
“They got their opportunity with this council and they would be better suited to try and make it a campaign issue, to bring it forward to the next council. Right now council has plenty of other things to do right now,” he adds.
According to Alberta Health Services website, “Published sciences offer a clear answer: Fluoridation is safe and effective as a public health measure.”
However, Benson says that’s old science and there’s now substantial evidence to show the contrary.
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“We have to realize the science that said it was ok to put fluoride in the water came out of the 1970’s when we thought leaded gasoline was ok or DDT. These were things accepted and confirmed by the scientific community at the time,” he adds.
Benson says the fluoride in tap water is also making its way to our rivers and therefore polluting our wildlife and environment.
He says most importantly it should be an individual choice to consume fluoride and can be found in things like toothpaste if people so desire to consume it.
“Beyond the scientific risks or health risk, we have to consider the ethics of this. This is quite unconstitutional,” he adds.
The group is hoping their new campaign both online and through social media will offer the public information on both sides of the argument to help make informed decisions.
Fluoride has been in the Lethbridge water system since a plebiscite in 1974.
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