I was pleased to see the front-page article Aug. 21 titled “High fluoride levels found in some private wells in Maine.” This article described the toxic effects fluoride can have on health, such as pitted teeth, brittle bones and lowered IQ in children.

It also stated that “… low levels of fluoride prevent tooth decay and promote oral hygiene … .” I disagree with that last statement because I have been studying the subject of artificial water fluoridation for the past two years and recent research has proven otherwise.

I have spoken with the superintendent of the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, & Wells Water District, Norm Labbe, and he and his board of trustees think it would be a good idea to stop artificially fluoridating our public water supply because fluoride is an unregulated drug.

Infants and children receive far more fluoride in their formula and drinking water in relation to body weight than adults do.

The elderly are also at risk because fluoride is bioaccumulative. Seniors with weak kidneys or kidney disease aren’t able to get rid of fluoride efficiently, and it collects in their bones, making them brittle and weak and prone to breakage.

I am opposed to artificial water fluoridation because of its source. The fluorosilicic acid that is added to our water supply is actually hazardous material. It comes from the wet-scrubbing of the smokestacks of the phosphate fertilizer industry.

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Other contaminants are also found in this toxic waste product, and the employees of our KK&W Water District have actually found arsenic in the fluorosilicic acid they purchased to add to our drinking water.

I agree with Norm Labbe and his board of trustees. It is time to turn off the spigot and stop polluting Kennebunk’s drinking water with hazardous material.

Janice Hanson

Kennebunk


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