31 October 2022

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Vermont official lowered fluoride level in water for years

Mary Guiden

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Local and national news outlets recently reported that Kendall Chamberlin, water superintendent in Richmond, Vermont, admitted during a September 2022 meeting of the town’s Water and Sewer Commission that he drastically lowered fluoride levels due to personal safety concerns.

The story was originally reported by Seven Days’ reporter Kevin McCallum and covered by publications including The New York Times. 

Chamberlin, who worked for the town for 37 years, told commissioners he decided to reduce the levels several years ago because a few people told him they were against fluoridation, according to Seven Days. He said that he preferred to be “ahead of the curve” when it comes to removing chemicals from the water supply. The town’s water system serves around 1,000 people. It’s not yet clear how long the fluoride level has been below the recommended levels. Chamberlin has resigned from his position, according to The New York Times. 

Fluoridation has critics, but because of its contribution to the large decline in cavities in the U.S. since the 1960s, organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have named community water fluoridation one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.

The American Dental Association endorses fluoridation as a safe, beneficial, cost-effective and socially equitable public health measure for preventing dental caries in children and adults.

Seven Days’ McCallum reported that Richmond residents, including two physicians, blasted Chamberlin’s move as misguided.

“For a single person to unilaterally make the decision that this public health benefit might not be warranted is inappropriate,” retired physician Dr. Allen Knowles told the commission. “I think it’s outrageous.”

Read the original story: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/richmond-learns-a-town-official-lowered-the-fluoride-level-in-its-water-for-years/Content?oid=36584271

The New York Times story was published Oct. 21 and can be read on its website. 

Water superintendent Kendall Chamberlin said he drastically lowered fluoride levels due to personal safety concerns.