Reconsider fluoridation decision

Good grief. Years after Communist conspiracy theories concerning fluoridation dissipate, right-wing Republicans have indirectly derailed a Salt Lake County proposal to add fluoride to drinking water because of unfounded fears based on faulty science.

What's next? Removing bacteria-fighting chlorine from our water systems so we can revert to third-world standards?More appalling is that Salt Lake County would use federal grant money from the Centers for Disease Control for fluoride education on one hand and call the chemical harmful on the other. Such inconsistency makes no sense and lacks the support of those properly educated on the subject, beginning with local health officials.

Ironically, the county hired a person to promote dental education with an emphasis on using fluoride. Salt Lake City-County Board of Health voted unanimously in April to recommend putting fluoridation on the ballot. The county also had staffers at the Legislature last session working with a broad-based coalition to change Utah's laws and allow the question of fluoridation to be put before county voters.

Now, suddenly, two of three commission members vote against doing so despite 91 percent public opinion in favor of letting the electorate decide.

The reason for the politicized about-face by commissioner Mary Callaghan is obvious - an anti-fluoridation resolution was adopted at the Salt Lake County GOP Convention. Callaghan fears her right-wing Republican primary challenger Wendy Smith and dared not cross party loyalists prior to the June 23 primary. Chairman Brent Overson knew that and, openly opposing Callaghan's re-election, rushed the fluoridation matter to the fore to force her hand.

Callaghan conveniently uncovered a wealth of last-minute data showing fluoridation is the cause of most woes known to Western man - including perhaps light rail. She and Overson voted it down over Randy Horiuchi's objections, and nothing will be on the ballot in November unless proponents can garner 28,000 signatures to get it there. Even that effort could end up in court.

Proponents should circulate petitions and give it a try. The question ought to be decided by voters savvy enough to sift through the political plaque.

The dental benefits from minimal amounts of fluoride in drinking water are proven, the risks are greatly overstated and the costs are minimal. More than 60 percent of the nation's drinking water is fluoridated and has been so for more than 50 years without harmful effects.