Hillsborough commission votes to keep fluoride in drinking water

The latest fight to remove fluoride from drinking water arrived in one of Florida’s biggest counties on Wednesday but was pushed back in a close vote.

Keeping fluoride out of drinking water has quickly become a priority once again for Republicans across the state and nation. That was the case for Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal, who said in September he would motion to remove fluoride from the county’s water.

His motion failed to receive enough votes during Wednesday’s County Commission meeting.

Wostal’s argument relied primarily on a federal court ruling from September in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A district court judge concluded that 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, which is considered the optimal level to combat tooth decay, “poses an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children.”

The California judge ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency should strengthen fluoride regulations, but did not come to a definitive conclusion that fluoride is dangerous to public health.

“Now that I’ve said it out loud, it’s sounds almost diabolical that I have to sit here and argue for it to be removed,” Wostal said on Wednesday. “There is no way that I could sleep well at night knowing that we’re doing this.”

There were several residents who spoke during public comment in support of Wostal’s motion, and he said if he wanted to, he could have organized more than 100. But he didn’t see the need to, he said, because his argument is simple: Fluoride may be harmful to children.

Commissioner Harry Cohen said he also received a large number of messages, but from dentists who said they are alarmed the board may remove fluoride without extensive notice to the county.

“The only two speakers who were actually medical doctors or dentists both urged us to use extreme caution in making this type of a decision so quickly,” Cohen said of Wednesday’s public comment.

To counter Wostal’s points made in reference to the California trial, Cohen said a Jan. 6 statement from the American Dental Association stated the study cited in the court case didn’t provide evidence that fluoridation rules should be changed. He urged caution from the board moving forward and suggested a workshop with medical professionals.

Cohen said the federal government is still recommending that the same amount of fluoride be added to drinking water.

“With all of the websites that the Trump administration has taken down in its first few weeks, this one is still up there,” he said.

He said using one court case, that may not have accurate information, as a main piece of evidence for making such a major decision was “extremely irresponsible.”

Cohen added that the dentists he spoke with this week echoed what health experts have argued throughout the nationwide debate: Fluoridation of water prevents risk of dental issues, particularly for low-income people.

Wostal directly challenged Cohen’s response.

“Are you a medical doctor? I’m asking because you called my item irresponsible,” he said. “I am happy to hear that you’re willing to risk the health of our children in Hillsborough County, on the record.”

Cohen stuck by his position, continuing the back and forth by emphasizing contrary evidence to Wostal’s claims.

“You’re relying on one court case in order to make a decision like this that could affect the public health of millions,” Cohen said. “I stand by my statement. I think it is irresponsible.”

The motion ultimately failed to pass, with Wostal, Donna Cameron Cepeda and Christine Miller in support and Cohen, Chris Boles and Ken Hagan against. Gwen Myers was not present to vote.

Boles, who was silent during the discussion, was shut down from sharing comments after the vote.

“The item is closed,” Wostal said. “You had your chance to speak on it Commissioner Boles before you voted no.”