Residents urge county to stop fluoridating water during public comment
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Summary
Two residents used the public comment period to urge the county to end water fluoridation, citing health concerns and recent federal findings; no county action was taken.
During the public comment portion of the Feb. 11 meeting, two residents urged the Board of County Commissioners to remove fluoride from the county's water supply, calling it a public-health concern and noting that many Florida counties have discontinued fluoridation.
Joanne Binford told the board that "41 counties in Florida have removed the neurotoxin of fluoride from their water system" and urged the county to become the 42nd. She said fluoride is unnecessary and described it as "medicating the public" without consent. (Joanne Binford, resident.)
Another speaker, Dina (last name not provided), said she had emailed the commissioners about fluoride and referenced recent court findings and guidance she said came from the state Surgeon General. Dina said she spoke with local dentists who told her they do not rely on municipal fluoridation; she characterized the fluoride chemical added to water as different from topical dental fluoride and cited studies she said link fluoride to reduced IQ and other health effects. (Dina, resident.)
No board action followed; commissioners did not take immediate steps on the issue during the meeting. Staff did not present a response on policy or a plan for review during the session.