Committee advances bill to prohibit fluoride additions to public water after contested hearing

Representative Rowe Renault pressed HB 23-96, saying "public water should not be used as a system for mass medication without informed consent," and asked the committee to prohibit deliberate addition of fluoride to public supplies.

Opponents and proponents testified in a tightly timed public hearing. Kathleen Thiessen, who said she has worked for 40 years in human health risk assessment, told the committee a federal judge had found fluoridation posed an "unreasonable risk of neurotoxicity to children" and that "there is no safe level of fluoride exposure"; she recommended prohibiting deliberate addition of fluoride. Dr. Jack Kahl, a dentist who identified himself as executive chair of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, said recent reviews show only a small reduction in cavities and argued for the precautionary principle, telling lawmakers an updated Cochrane report found at-best a 3–4% reduction in decay.

Water operator Clark Culver testified about operational risks, saying the fluoridation chemical is corrosive and "will eat through concrete" in treatment rooms and that operators lack an administrative tool to order remediation for fluoride overfeeds. By contrast, Leon Stanislav, a dentist representing the Tennessee Dental Association, defended community water fluoridation at the recommended 0.7 mg/L level, saying it ‘‘has proven its safety and effectiveness’’ and warning that discontinuing fluoridation could increase emergency dental costs.

Lawmakers pressed witnesses on local authority to add or remove fluoride and on comparative evidence from other countries. Representative Renault said the bill would restore individual choice by removing fluoride from public water and allowing people to add it privately if they choose. After questions and debate, the committee recorded 4 ayes, 3 nos and 1 present-not-voting and advanced HB 23-96 to the full committee.