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Board discusses water fluoridation after Longview debate; Dr. Kreger to report back
Summary
The Board of Health held an extended discussion about water fluoridation after local debate in Longview; residents raised concerns about consent and chemical sources, the EPA and state boards are reviewing fluoride science, and the board asked the health officer to return with more information in a future meeting.
Cowlitz County Board of Health members discussed the practice of adding fluoride to public drinking water following recent debate in the city of Longview, and asked the county health officer to provide an update after state and federal reviews of fluoride science.
Nut graf: Residents and board members raised concerns about the type and source of fluoride used by some municipal systems, the lack of individual consent and the appropriate role of government in community water fluoridation; staff noted that Longview retained fluoridation because of a contract with Beacon Hill Water District and that the EPA and the Washington State Board of Health are reviewing recent science.
A member of the public, Kate Clinch, urged the board to treat fluoridation as a medical intervention and argued that "water should hydrate, not medicate," saying citizens lack an easy way to opt out and that dosage cannot be controlled in a public water system. County staff and the health officer said they do not operate the large municipal systems that add fluoride; county‑operated systems do not add fluoride.
Officials pointed to ongoing national and state reviews: the EPA announced a scientific review of fluoride in drinking water, and the state Board of Health scheduled discussion on June 4. Board members asked the health officer to monitor those reviews and report back. A board member suggested scheduling fluoride for a future meeting in approximately three months; Dr. Kreger agreed to prepare an update.
Ending: The board agreed to a follow‑up report rather than immediate action, and staff said they would share the EPA and state Board of Health materials and any forthcoming findings. No formal action or regulation was adopted at the meeting.
