Patrick Jacuzzo, Director of Environmental Health with the Marquette County Health Department, advocates for the continued use of water fluoridation in the city of Ishpeming on Wednesday night. (Journal photo by Abby LaForest)

ISHPEMING — The Ishpeming City Council held a special meeting on Wednesday evening, serving as a listening session for those who are for and against continuing to fluoridate the city’s water system.

Each side, for fluoride or against fluoride, had 20 minutes to present their opinions and evidence to the council. Following the presentations, the council had an opportunity to ask any clarifying questions, and both sides were given the chance to answer all questions. Public comment followed for the remaining time, the longest segment as many community members came up to the podium to share their thoughts with the room.

Those advocating to keep fluoride in the city water went first, which included professionals from the Marquette County Health Department, as well as local dentists. Patrick Jacuzzo, Director of Environmental Health at the MCHD, stated that the benefits of keeping fluoride in the city water far outweigh any potential risks.

“Marquette County Health Department continues to endorse and encourage drinking water fluoridation at the recommended level of 0.7 milligrams per liter. There’s no evidence in current peer-reviewed literature that that level of fluoridation has any negative health effects whatsoever,” said Jacuzzo. He cited that the oversight of public water supplies and any additives are heavily monitored based on the standards of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, and that there is over 80 years of scientific research and data that indicates community-wide fluoridation provides significant benefit to public health.

Dr. Brian Anderson, a dentist who works with 906 Family Dentistry in Ishpeming, shared that public water fluoridation aids in the oral health of children who don’t have immediate access to professional dental care, which is due to a combination of factors such as a lack of local dentists, affordability concerns, and strains on resources.

“I give it to my kids, I encourage my patients to use it, I’ve been giving my children fluorinated water since they were born, (applied) agent fluoride on their teeth since they were born. I wouldn’t do something to make sure that I was adversely affecting their health,” Dr. Anderson said.

Opponents of community water fluoridation said that keeping fluoride in the water presents numerous health risks, especially to unborn babies and young children. Valerie Olson, an Electrodermal Screening Technician and Director of the Wellness Centre of Marquette, stated that the benefits of water fluoridation are not enough to justify the negatives that accompany it, such as potential physical health problems like neurotoxins and thyroid issues, particularly in babies and children.

“We can treat dental caries (cavities) in other ways, dental health in other ways. Yes (for) topical use and topical products, teaching, educating parents about dietary modifications, but can we put something in the water that isn’t safe for everyone…that’s ethically wrong,” said Olson.

Jeff Plummer, a concerned citizen who advocates against the fluoridation of municipal water, also raised concerns about the interference with personal liberty and individual choice about what someone puts in their own bodies.

“Ultimately, it’s a philosophical issue: does the government have the right to put a medical intervention in all citizen’s water? This is where I see the upside down thinking about choice, the choice should always be to not be medicated, not the choice for everyone to be medicated,” said Plummer.

The city council did not take any action during the meeting, as it was simply a forum to hear information from both sides of the issue.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-225-2800, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.