The city of Lebanon, located east of Corvallis, recently made headlines for their decision to remove fluoride from their water system. Despite the majority of residents voting in favor of discontinuing the use of the chemical, there was a low voter turnout for the decision. The city had already stopped adding fluoride to the water due to issues with murky water entering the system, leading the City Council to declare a state of emergency in early October.
Lebanon Mayor Ken Jackola explained that the influx of muddy water was a result of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers periodically draining the nearby Green Peter Reservoir. The federal judge mandated these drawdowns to protect salmon habitat on the Santiam River.
The controversy surrounding fluoride in the water supply began two years ago when a group of residents petitioned the city to stop adding it. The decision to remove fluoride is expected to save the city approximately $20,000 annually. Councilor Dave Workman, who ran for election with plans to refer the fluoride question to the ballot, emphasized the importance of allowing individuals to make their own dental health care choices.
While the American Dental Association supports the use of fluoride to prevent cavities, fluoride skepticism has a long history in Oregon. More than 200 million Americans receive fluoride in their water, but Portland residents have repeatedly rejected measures to add it to the water. In Hillsboro, voters also rejected adding fluoride to the water supply in a recent non-binding vote.
The Lebanon community’s decision to remove fluoride from their water system has drawn attention from national media, with some tying the vote to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his anti-pharmaceutical beliefs.
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