Redmond is one of five districts in King County with fluorinated water. Last summer’s water-quality report showed that the fluorine content ranged from 0.4-1.1ppm with an average of 0.8ppm. The EPA limit is 4ppm and recommends about 1ppm.

The main benefit of fluoride is that it curbs tooth decay. While my goal is not to dispute this, one can find studies that show the plethora of European countries that have recently stopped fluorination did not experience a rise in tooth decay. In addition, too much fluoride can actually damage teeth.

My concern is not about teeth, however. It is the strong evidence that consuming more fluoride leads to weaker bones and possibly Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Any link with Alzheimer’s hasn’t been definitively proven, but it’s the risk I’m personally most concerned about. Fluoride increases the body’s absorption rate of positive ions like aluminum. There is a strong correlation between Alzheimer’s disease and aluminum concentrations in the brain. Note that many people cook with aluminum cookware, though it hopefully isn’t a problem if it doesn’t ionize.

I would like to see Redmond stop fluorinating water. It is unjust to force supplemental fluoridation upon all residents when there are known and unknown risks to doing so. For those who strongly desire fluorination, perhaps discounted supplements can be given in lieu of the fluorination program.

Robert Miller, Redmond