To the editor:

Nearly two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended lowering the levels of fluoride in drinking water. As a fluoridated city, I expected to see an article in the Journal-World about this radical shift in health thinking. For 50 years we’ve been told to drink, brush, swish and swallow. Now, all of a sudden, 40 percent of kids have fluorosis. It seems like only the anti-fluoride camp saw it coming. Why? In light of this reversal, are there other fluoride-connected health issues we should also be concerned about?

Looking over the city’s water report, our fluoride levels frequently surpass this new recommendation. So what’s being done about it? Does anyone care? There is also a free fluoride treatment coming up next week for low-income children. How does this new announcement impact it? Is it even needed or would the additional fluoride be a problem?

On a larger scale, where does the sodium fluoride that ends up in our water come from? Nationally, most is from China’s manufacturing and mining. What about ours?

How about even larger. Why is there no difference in cavity occurrences between the U.S. and Europe/Asia where they don’t add it to their drinking water? Or even between Lawrence and Wichita?

C’mon J-W, this story should be covered. There are many angles/perspectives to this story the public should at least get the chance to learn about.