Most European nations do not fluoridate their water. The European Union stance is against mass medication, realizing this is more of an individual decision. Shouldn't protection of individual freedom still be important in America? Fluoridation would further contaminate our groundwater and harm our health. Dr. Hirsy, an EPA senior scientist, testified in 2000 to the U.S. Senate, "Fluoride is slightly less toxic than arsenic and more toxic than lead."

Fluoride is a waste by-product of the phosphate fertilizer and aluminum industries, and it requires costly disposal in a toxic waste site. Fluoride is an insidious corrosive cumulative poison, producing serious effects on a long range basis. It is the active ingredient in pesticides and rat poison.

Studies on fluoride raise the following health concerns: fluoride allergy, skin rashes, brittle bones and teeth, gingivitis, swallowing difficulty, stomach problems, arthritis/joint inflammation, neurological problems, thyroid malfunction, negative effect on pineal gland (lowering melatonin), musculosketetal harm, altered immune system, genetic damage, lower I.Q.s, increase of alzheimers/dementia, increase of bone cancer.

More susceptible to fluoride toxin are postmenopausal women, elderly men, pregnant women and fetuses, people with calcium, magnesium, vitamin C deficiencies and people with cardiovascular and kidney problems.

Organizations no longer endorsing fluoridation: American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, National Kidney Foundation, National Academy of Allergy and Immunology, American Diabetes Association, Society of Toxicology, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Activation Network, American Psychiatric Association, American Civil Liberties Union, American Chiropractic Association and National Institute of Law Municipal Officers.

I became allergic to fluoride after a dentist prescribed an oral fluoride rinse to help remineralize a tooth. The tooth did not remineralize, but I reacted to the fluoride with tender, swollen lymph glands, after my mouth/throat reacted with excessive salivation.

See the following Web sites: Citizens for Safe Drinking Water and Fluoride Action Network.

H.L. Watson

4003 Mason Ave.