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Water Fluoridation? I Don’t think So. The United States government considers water fluoridation one of public health’s “great wonders” (Newman, WSJ). However, this view is not shared by all. For the past 27 years, Darlene Sherrell has lead a campaign to both stop the fluoridation of U.S. water supplies and inform the public of the harsh realities of fluoridation. There have been many studies conducted that analyze the different effects of water fluoridation. Based on these studies, it appears that any benefits of fluoridation will not warrant its continuation in the United States due to the ill effects fluoridation has on the environment, the potential health risks it brings, and the insincere intentions of its supporters. Fluoridated water appears to be harmful to the environment. The more frequently fluoridated water is used today, the greater the amount of contaminated water that will run into our nation’s vital groundwater and flow into the streams and lakes that nourish our plants and animals. As this water becomes infected with fluoride, a domino effect could be set in motion that would cause the mutual destruction of many species. Salmon, for example, are a species that is already suffering from being over fished. In order for these fish to spawn and recover, they must be in fluoride-free streams. The slightest presence of fluoride in their waters makes it impossible for them to reproduce. Because of fluoride contamination, not only would the salmon die off, but bigger birds and other animals that depend on salmon as a staple meal would also be negatively effected (Ritchie, WSJ letter). Just as we should be wary of the harmful effects fluoridation has on animals and their habitats, we should also be cautious of the possible damaging effects that could be done to our pristine waters. Water is fundamental to our human existence and a source of homeland pride for many people living in rural locations like Tumwater and Lacey, Washington (Ritchie, WSJ letter).
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