ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The City Council in St. Joseph has decided against exploring the elimination of fluoride in the drinking water supply.
St. Joseph has been fluoridating its water since voters approved the addition of 1 part per million in 1988. The level was reduced last year to.7 parts per million to meet new federal recommendations.
The St. Joseph News-Press reports (http://bit.ly/USeKhU ) that some residents asked the City Council to look into ending the practice.
Larry Flinchpaugh told the council at a meeting Monday he didn't doubt the benefits of fluoride, which several dentists said helps prevent tooth decay. But Flinchpaugh said people who don't want to ingest fluoride shouldn't have it forced on them.
Five of the council's nine members favored continuing to fluoridate the water. The other four favored a study.
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Information from: St. Joseph News-Press, http://www.stjoenews-press.com
