The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Fluoridation seen as health crisis to some Continued from page 1 3 · Thursday, February 2, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com at about 30 per cent. "This is a very, very safe practice," Cooney continued. "Some of the things you're going to hear about this is absolutely bizarre... stick with the work of health organizations and stick with the good science." Cooney said the Center for Disease Control estimates every $1 invested in fluoridation saves $38 of dental treatment. He said other ways to prevent tooth decay include distributing fluoride toothpaste at a cost of $3 or topical fluoride treatments at $30. The Region spends $268,000 a year or 54 cents per person on fluoridation. "I will make a lot of money by removing fluoridated water. The thought that there's a worldwide conspiracy is ridiculous," said Dr. Robert Wood, head of dental oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital and a Burlington resident. He said removing fluoride from drinking water would result in "the golden age of dentistry." However, councillors and residents had their doubts. Burlington Councillor Marianne Meed Ward said she sees adding fluoride to drinking water as a health crisis. She said factors such as income, education and diet have far more effects on dental health than water fluoridation does. "In the last several decades, water fluoridation has gone up and GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER ON TAP: Fluoride will remain in Halton's municipal drinking water after the debate over whether to remove it raged at Halton Regional Council Tuesday. A close vote followed a marathon council debate on what has been a divisive issue. dental cavities have gone down. But we hear from Health Canada that there's no causation evidence that the two are related. There's no evidence between half of the population (in Canada) that is not fluoridated and half of the population that is, that the half not getting fluoridated water are at a significant risk." Several residents who addressed council pointed to numerous studies that linked fluoride ingestion with bone cancer, Alzheimer's diseases, skeletal fractures and fluorosis, which causes tooth discolouring. "The Health Canada report does not assure fluoride is safe or effective. It concludes it does not support a link between water with fluoride and adverse health effects. But Health Canada's own report associates water fluoridation with hip fractures in seniors," said Oakville resident Diane Sprules. Added Oakville resident Erika Ristok: "It's not regional council's role to play doctor. The Region can recommend getting a flu shot but it's my choice whether to get one or not." A letter from Oakville MP Terence Young supported removing fluoride from Halton's water. Young said in the last 15 months, 13 Canadian municipalities have stopped fluoridating water. During that same period of time, no communities have started the practice. However, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Arlene King said the value of fluoriSee Council page 9 Fabulous February Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm Watch for our FLOOR MODEL SALE R O F D E S O L C S I STORE H T 2 1 6 B E F VACATION FURNITURE & HOME DECOR ote n e s a e l P FEB 15TH - FEB 29TH 905-844-3530 · www.swissinteriors.com 217 Lakeshore Rd. E., Downtown Oakville