Lee County Commissioners Vote Unanimously to Eliminate Fluoride from Public Drinking Water

Florida has started removing fluoride from drinking water following guidance from the state's surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, at the end of last year. On Tuesday, the Lee County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to remove fluoride from the county's water, according to local news station WGCU. The city of Naples and Collier County, Immokalee, Everglades City, and Marco Island have all voted to remove fluoride, per the outlet. Hillsborough County will vote on the issue on Wednesday afternoon, Fox 13 reported. Several local governments in the Tampa Bay area, such as Winter Haven, Lakeland, Clearwater, Pinellas County and Manatee County, have either begun debating whether to remove fluoride or have already voted to do so.

Lee County has voted to ban fluoride from its water supply, a decision made unanimously by county commissioners to address health concerns. "I've been studying this over the last few years, I can see other things that are happening that are quite, quite disturbing," said Richard Schroeder, a retired medical doctor who supports the decision. Lee County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Cecil Pendergrass explained the county's stance. "Obviously, we're going to obviously provide fluoride for people if they need it, but there will be ways for them to get it. But the county should not be putting that in the system for people," Pendergrass said.

Officials in Florida’s Lee County voted unanimously to remove fluoride from the water supply following calls from Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo to remove it across the state. Ladapo was present at the meeting on the removal of fluoride, contending that it is “insane to continue to support this,” referring to fluoride in the water supply.Lee County follows in the steps of a few other areas in Florida, including the city of Winter Haven, which voted on the matter in November, citing, in part, concerns raised by Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy in November promised that the Trump White House would move on this matter and “advise all U.S​. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.” “Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease,” he continued.

Deforest will no longer add fluoride to its water. Village trustee Bill Landgraf voted in favor of the resolution. He said the issue of fluoride removal has exposed another longstanding issue in the community: How to debate without disrespect or vitriol. "You shouldn't be afraid to give your opinion without getting attacked," he said.

Lee County has voted to ban fluoride from its water supply, a decision made unanimously by county commissioners to address health concerns.