Fluoridation: Pollution Solution

EPA Leslie A. Russell D.M.D. – Fluoridation: Pollution Solution

EPA Water Administrator, Rebecca Hammer, admits fluoride is a toxic by-product of the chemical fertilizer industry. In her letter to Dr. Leslie A. Russell, D.M.D., Ms. Hammer shares ambiguous statements regarding the EPA’s view of fluoride’s benefits and its hazards, admitting fluoride for fluoridation is an ideal environmental solution to a “long-standing problem” and by recovering the by-product fluosilicic acid from fertilizer manufacturing, water and air pollution are minimized and water utilities have a low-cost source of fluoride available to them.

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20640

 

MAR 30, 1983

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Leslie A. Russell, D.M.D.

363 Walnut Street

Newtonville, Mass. 02160

 

Dear Dr. Russell:

 

     Thank you for your letter of March 9, 1983, in regard to the fluoridation of drinking water.

 

     The information available to the Environmental Protection Agency is that fluoridation is a safe and effective means for reducing the occurrence of dental caries. The Fluoridation process has been endorsed by several Presidents of the United States and by several Surgeons General, including the current Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop. A copy of Dr. Koop’s statement on fluoridation is enclosed.

 

     Water treatment chemicals, including fluosilicic acid, have been evaluated for their potential for contributing to the contamination of drinking water. The Water Treatment Chemicals Codex, published by the National Academy of Sciences, prescribes the purity requirements for fluosilicic acid and other fluoridation chemicals.

 

     In regard to the use of fluosilicic acid as a source of fluoride for fluoridation, this Agency regards such use as an ideal environmental solution to a long-standing problem. By recovering by-product fluosilicic acid from fertilizer manufacturing, water and air pollution are minimized, and water utilities have a low-cost source of fluoride available to them. I hope this information adequately responds to your concern.

 

                                                                                              Sincerely Yours,

 

                                                                                              Rebecca Hanmer

                                                                                              Deputy Assistant Administrator

                                                                                                   for Water

               

 

 

Dr. Koop’s statement on fluoridation

 

“Fluoridation is the single most important commitment a community can make to the oral health of its children and to future generations.”

 

Dr C. Everett Koop, U. S. Surgeon General (1982 – 1989) 

OFFICE OF

WATER

Source:

Fluoride Alert - fluoridealert.org

Find out what is in your tap water and what kind of filter you need by going to the

Environmental Working Group's website at www.ewg.org