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Seminole County schedules April 8 fluoride briefing as residents call for end to water fluoridation
Summary
The county manager said staff will return April 8 with an update on fluoride following changes in state guidance and ongoing legislative activity; multiple residents used public comment to urge the board to end water fluoridation and cited health studies and industry origins of fluoridation chemicals.
Seminole County staff will present an update on fluoride at the board’s April 8 meeting after the county manager said recent communications and state‑level developments warranted review.
Christian Swenson, assistant county manager, told the board the state surgeon general had changed guidance on fluoride and that pending state legislation could affect local policy. Swenson said staff would bring an update to the April 8 meeting for the board’s consideration.
During the public‑comment period, multiple residents urged the commission to end the county’s practice of fluoridating public water. Justin Harvey (1025 Hamlet Drive, Maitland) and Sherry Johnson (172 Williams Road, Lake Mary) told the board they oppose fluoridation and cited scientific studies and historical accounts. Harvey referenced a recent federal court decision, publications and JAMA studies he said support health concerns, and noted that several nearby municipalities recently voted to remove fluoride. Johnson cited historical phosphate‑industry processing that produces hydrofluosilicic acid (FSA) used in many U.S. water fluoridation programs and listed a range of health concerns she said are associated with fluoride exposure.
Swenson confirmed staff will prepare an update for April 8; commissioners did not take action at the March 25 meeting but directed staff to return with information for consideration.
The public comments provided opinions and cited studies and courts; the board’s scheduled April 8 briefing will give staff an opportunity to present technical information, legal context, and any options available to the county.
