Group wants fluoride removed from Cornwall drinking water
CORNWALL, Ontario
Amanda Robinson
9/7/2012
A local group wants to get rid of what they say is a health hazard in Cornwall. Fluoride Free Cornwall is asking the city to stop adding fluoride to its drinking water and will make its case in person to councillors on Monday. In a report to council, the group says the fluoride used in the cities drinking water is toxic and can have negative health effects. However, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit says fluoride is safe. In a report last year, the region's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis pointed out the use of fluoride is supported by more than 90 national and international professional health organizations including Health Canada, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health organization. "In 2007, a Health Canada-appointed panel of experts concluded that there is no detrimental risk to the health of Canadians from fluoridation of community drinking water at the current recommended levels," he said.
But the group dismisses the evidence. It says the fluoride studied by health agencies is different from what is actually used in drinking water. Fluoride Free Cornwall adds that, across Canada, 41 towns and cities along with the majority of B.C and Quebec have stopped adding fluoride to their drinking water.