Binghamton Commission Recommends End to Water Fluoridation

A Binghamton commission has voted to recommend that city council put a stop to the practice of adding fluoride to the public water supply.

A sharply divided Commission for Conservation of the Environment voted in favor of ending the long-time water fluoridation practice. The vote was five to four.

The city has been fluoridating its water supply since 1964 in an effort to reduce tooth decay.

Commission member Richard Jannaccio said a panel committee has been discussing the health concerns some have expressed about adding fluoride to the water.

At a recent meeting, city council president Hadassah Mativetsky advised lawmakers of the commission recommendation. She said "that is a discussion we can have at some point."

Mayor Jared Kraham is opposed to ending water fluoridation. He said most of the scientific research indicates adding fluoride to the public water supply is beneficial.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program last week, Kraham said he doesn't believe "there's any serious proposal by members of city council" to stop fluoridation.

The mayor noted he appointed none of the commission members. He said "this was a small number of people" appointed by city council "that obviously have very strong views on the topic."

Jannaccio said some recent research has suggested that current levels of fluoridation can "cause an unreasonable risk of adverse neurological effects on children."

President-elect Trump's choice to head the Department of Health and Human Services - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - has called for an end to the practice of adding fluoride to public water supplies.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.