RECIPE FOR SUCCESS:

Something’s about to happen that shouldn’t. Starting in November, the Metropolitan Water District is going to fluoridate our water.

At first blush you think, “it’s no big deal, after all, fluoride prevents cavities.” That’s the propaganda we’ve heard since the 1950s. In reality, fluoride decreases tooth decay only in topical form; when ingested, it doesn’t.

The fluoride dentists use isn’t the same fluoride in our water. The chemicals — fluorosilicic acid, sodium silicofluoride, and sodium fluoride — used to fluoridate drinking water are industrial waste products from the phosphate fertilizer, aluminum, steel, glass, cement and other industries. Pro-fluoride experts say they’re safe because treated toxic waste is OK in small amounts for you. Not a recipe for success in my book.

If this toxic material isn’t used as an additive to water, manufacturers would have to pay millions of dollars to dispose of it properly, so the pressure to keep fluoride listed as a “healthy additive” to water is great, and political pressures to keep fluoride in the drinking water is strong. Just follow the money. These industries donate big time to political campaigns.

What’s not considered is that we’re getting fluoride from some vitamin tablets, mouthwashes, toothpaste, processed food and beverages.

Fluoride is accumulative in the body and can reach toxic levels.

Some lesser symptoms may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased salivation and thirst.

A Harvard study found a connection between fluoride and a serious form of bone cancer in males younger than 20.

The National Research Council found fluoride can cause brain damage, depression and weight gain, and fractures from weakened bones.

The American Dental Association advises parents against giving babies fluoridated water due to the risk of tissue damage, learning disabilities and fluorosis, a discoloration and molting of tooth enamel.

Water districts in cities such as Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz passed protective resolutions or ordinances regarding fluoride. The cities of San Diego and Sunnyvale have ordinances prohibiting fluoridation that pre-date the state’s law.

Ninety-six percent of European countries have banned fluoridated water.

In the early 1960s, when I was growing up in Long Island, N.Y., my mom was part of a group of women who were unsuccessful in preventing fluoridation of our water.

Ten years later, our whole area was considered a cancer cluster.

Looking back, by the 1980s most of the men and women who lived on our street died of some form of cancer.

After a while, people started wondering if something might be wrong with the water.

BARBARA VENEZIA is the chairman of the Santa Ana Hts. Redevelopment Project Advisor Committee and was the co-creator of the cooking show “At Home on the Range” with John Crean.