TAKE ACTION to Remove Water Fluoridation Mandate

New Nebraska legislation, LB147, would change provisions regarding the approval and regulation of adding fluoride to water supplies in certain political subdivisions, effectively removing mandatory fluoridation requirements.

Currently, Nebraska requires all public community water supplies serving populations over 1,000 to fluoridate at standardized levels unless citizens of the community opted out through a ballot vote. While topical fluoride may reduce incidence rates of tooth decay, there are increasing concerns based on recent studies that the risks of adding fluoride to drinking water may outweigh the benefits.

LB147 would increase autonomy within local governments to decide whether to fluoridate water systems. Water fluoridation is a medical intervention that occurs without informed consent. Fluoride in water fluoridation is not natural fluoride. The main chemicals used in water fluoridation are silicofluorides — unprocessed industrial byproducts of the phosphate fertilizer industry. In addition, proper dosing is complex given the synergistic reactions with other compounds such as aluminum which increases potential neurotoxic effects, particularly in children.

This legislation is extremely important to the health of Nebraskans considering that fluoride is linked to:

- Harmful neurotoxic effects especially to undernourished children and formula-fed infants
- Increased risk of cognitive impairment and lower IQ
- Increased risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Increased risk of dental fluorosis which can cause permanent discoloration of teeth
- Increased risk of skeletal fluorosis which can cause pain and damage to bones and joints,
- increasing the risk of fractures
- Increased risk of thyroid dysfunction

What you can do:
- Click on “Take Action Now” and follow the steps to have your voice heard.
- Set a meeting with your legislators. It is their job to listen to their constituents!
- Want to learn more about fluoride? Visit CHD’s Fluoride Resource Page and the Fluoride Action Network.