2011/10/05 Council Agenda Packet

Everett City Council October 5, 2011 Page Six Foundation notifies those with kidney disease of the risk of drinking fluoridated water.] The risk is likely greatest in areas with naturally high water flouride levels. The National Kidney Foundation has no position on the optimal fluoridation of water. The oral health of people with CKD is of [sic] certainly of interest to the National Kidney Foundation, but balancing the overall benefits and risks of fluoride exposure is the primary concern. Why does the National Kidney Foundation take such contradictory, wishy- washy statements regarding fluoridation? Why does the National Kidney Foundation state that "individuals with CKD should be notified of the potential risk of fluoride exposure by providing information on the National Kidney Foundation website" and then not do it? Why does the National Kidney Foundation not come out and openly oppose water fluoridation? Because the CDC supports fluoridation, and the CDC funnels money to the National Kidney Foundation. See these links: http://www.kidney.org/news/newsroom/newsitemarchive.cfm?id=342 http://www.kidney.org/news/newsroom/newsitemArchive.cfm?id=310 http://www.kidney.org/news/pubpol/pdf/CDC CKD_MayFactSheet200 9.pdf The National Kidney Foundation is unlikely to bite the hand that feeds it. Thus its statements on fluoridation are illogical and inconsistent. Instead of taking a position against water fluoridation, the National Kidney Foundation cops out and takes no position at all. Council Member Nielsen also said that we asking the City Council to function as a science court, something it is not qualified to do. But the Council does not have to do any science. It only has to rely on what the CDC and the American Dental Association have about fluoridation: That fluoridation only reduces tooth decay by 18% - if there is any reduction at all. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4841al.htm