Where New Bedford Stands in the White-Hot Debate Over Fluoride

As is the case with many other things these days, the debate over the safety of fluoride in America's drinking water has turned political.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is not a fan of fluoride. Kennedy has raised concerns about fluoride's potential health risks. Immediately, Kennedy's opponents brand him an idiot and demand more fluoride in the drinking water supplies.

Communities across America add fluoride to drinking water to reduce the risk of cavities, especially in kids.

New Bedford does.

Public Information Officer Jonathan Darling says, "Yes, New Bedford's drinking water contains fluoride, and it has since 2007."

According to the Department of Public Infrastructure (DPI), "New Bedford's drinking water supply comes from the Assawompsett Pond Complex, comprised of Long Pond, Assawompsett, Pocksha, Great Quittacas, and Little Quittacas Ponds located in the towns of Freetown, Lakeville, Rochester, and Middleboro.

DPI says, "The Quittacas Water Treatment Plant draws from the Little Quittacas Pond to treat water for the City of New Bedford."

"Treatment consists of conventional filtration, disinfection, corrosion control, and fluoridation (as of January 2007)," according to DPI.

Dr. Millika Marshall told CBS News, "Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water."

"Dentists and healthcare providers have been promoting the use of fluoride to help strengthen teeth and reduce the risk of cavities for years," Dr. Marshall said.

Many toothpaste brands add low doses of fluoride to their products.

Many experts say fluoride is safe at low levels. However, Kennedy says the federal government's National Toxicology Program concluded that "higher levels" could have adverse health effects.

CBS News reported, "The EPA previously lowered its limits for fluoride in water in 2011 after a report from the National Academy of Sciences found some impacts on thyroid and arthritic symptoms might be possible under maximum limits at the time."

Utah recently banned the inclusion of fluoride in the water supply, a move praised by Kennedy.

NBC 10 Boston reported, "Of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns, about one-third, 120, have fully-fluoridated water, though more than 60% of people in the state currently get fluoride in their water."

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The Associated Press reported that "New Bedford stopped fluoridating its water supply in 1980."

"After more than 20 years of debate and thousands of dollars spent in advertising campaigns," New Bedford voted in 2006 to return fluoride to the city's water supply, according to the AP.

New Bedford City Council Public Safety Committee Chairman Brian Gomes said Kennedy's concerns about fluoride might be worthy of discussion.

"Kennedy has also raised concerns about the effects of fluoride on the skin and hair from showering," he said. "We don't know what harmful effects there might be from fluoride and how good it really is for us."

Gomes said fewer people drink tap water these days, opting instead for bottled water. He says he plans to "ask DPI how much the city spends a year for the fluoride in the water."

Gomes said it "makes sense" to have a public discussion about the benefits and potential risks of fluoride.