Fluoridation, Vaccination Dominate Health Policy Meeting

Fluoride in drinking water and state childhood vaccination policy took center stage at Monday's Board of Health meeting, as the panel started setting policy goals for 2011.

Board members expressed concern over New Jersey American Water Company regulating floride levels in one of their two main pipes, with the unregulated pipe used to bring water to Westfield and surrounding communities. The board passed a resolution Monday to support the regulation of fluoride in our water. T

he motion was tailored specifically to regulation because there is currently fluoride in the water, which ranges anywhere from undetectable to .9 parts per million, where .7 parts per million is defined as the "theraputic level." Fluoride in drinking water can have an impact on tooth decay in children and adults according to information provided by the health authorities. 

The board members also stated they would be sending a letter to Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) backing an increase in the requirements of vaccinations for students. This letter was directly related to a court case that was resolved Monday, which allows partents to forgo immunizations based on a personal objection.

The board was clear in their opposition to this, stating that New Jersey already ranked 45th in vaccination statistics and they did not want this number to drop any lower. The main problem the board had was that people were objecting based on incorrect knowledge about the vaccination process and its effects.