North Miami Beach commissioners schedule workshop after large public push to remove fluoride from water

Dozens of North Miami Beach residents, dentists and public-health advocates urged the City Commission on Jan. 21 to end the city’s practice of adding fluoride to its water, arguing the chemical poses health risks especially to children and pregnant women.

Supporters of removing fluoride filled the public-comment portion of the meeting and included dentists and physicians who said topical fluoride (toothpaste, dental treatments) is effective while ingesting industrial fluoride compounds is unnecessary and potentially harmful. Speakers asked the commission to act quickly and cited recent court rulings and federal reviews they said require a re-evaluation of local policy.

The petitioners’ remarks came from a mix of residents and health professionals. Josh Jammey, a North Miami Beach resident, told commissioners that “fluorosilicic acid is a byproduct of fertilizer production and is classified as a toxic substance,” and urged immediate removal (public comment 01:50:29). Several dentists who spoke — including Dr. Bridal Rosenbaum, who described clinical concerns about dental fluorosis and bone brittleness, and Dr. Seth Gilson, who described…