Regulation Bites

Pinellas County FL has announced it will stop putting fluoride in its water. A Commissioner called it “a social sort of program” to be avoided. This is nuts. Adding fluoride is one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century and has reduced tooth decay. At best, critics content it causes fluorosis. The risk of fluorosis is tiny and is easily outweighed by fluoride’s benefits. This is a case where regulation is warranted.