Residents Protest Adding Fluoride to Water Supply

With workers poised to begin fluoridating drinking water in Los Angeles in the next two months, a half dozen San Fernando Valley residents protested Tuesday, citing health concerns.

The Department of Water and Power plans to send notices to Los Angeles residents, letting them know that fluoridation will begin in late February, according to Darlene Battle, an agency spokeswoman.

City voters opposed fluoridation in 1975, but a state law approved in 1995 mandated fluoridation as a safe way to help prevent tooth decay in the public. “It’s seen as a health benefit,” Battle said.

The council put off until Friday a vote on spending $37 million to buy chemicals including the fluoride, after a half dozen opponents protested the plan.

“Do you really believe a substance that is a rat poison and insecticide can only have the effect of preventing cavities and not have any other effects on your body?” Doug Cragoe of North Hollywood asked the council.

Public health officials say the chemical is safe. It is used in New York, Chicago, Houston, Detroit and San Francisco, among other cities.

Councilman Nate Holden said he opposes plans to add fluoride, despite claims by dentists and physicians that the chemical is a safe way to help prevent tooth decay.

“It’s going to cause health problems, and we know it,” Holden said.