Talking points on fluoride

Many Canadians are concerned about fluoride being added to drinking water and some opponents of fluoride have been critical of the movement to ban bottled water in public spaces.

Numerous studies point to health problems associated with exposure to fluoride. In 2000, British researchers reported in the British Medical Journal that fluoridation has overstated benefits and puts children at high risk of developing dental fluorosis. Even the American Dental Association, a strong proponent of fluoridation, warns parents against using fluoridated water with infant formula – concerns downplayed by Health Canada, according to a 2007 Globe and Mail article.

The movement to ban bottled water is not at odds with opposition to fluoride in drinking water. As such, some Council of Canadians chapters have been involved both in promoting bottled water bans and in opposing the fluoridation of drinking water.

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Bottled water is not a solution to water quality concerns in general

Water is a human right and everyone living in Canada should have access to safe, clean public drinking water. We strongly believe communities should be involved in decisions about their water quality and that there must be transparency and public input on decisions about water treatment.

That being said, the fact that many brands of bottled water are fluoride-free does not make bottled water safer than tap water. Several studies point to the leaching of chemicals into drinking water from PET containers. A study at the University of Heidelberg in Germany showed that Toxin levels can climb to 90% for water that has been in single-use bottles for over six months.

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Not all public drinking water in Canada is fluoridated

No. There is almost no fluoridation in BC or Quebec. Martin Mittelstaedt wrote in the Globe and Mail in November 2007 that, "About 13.5 million Canadians, or about 43 per cent of the population, live in communities with fluoridated tap water, but almost no fluoridation is done in British Columbia or Quebec, according to Health Canada." Health Canada says 29.7 per cent of Ontarians live in communities without fluoridated water. Toronto has reduced the fluoride in their tap water and now fluoridates at 0.6 ppm, which is below the level Health Canada recommends, 0.8 to 1 part per million fluoride to water.

If you are concerned about fluoride, you should contact your municipality or water utility. There are good chances that you may live in a community without fluoride in the drinking water.

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There are filters to remove fluoride from drinking water

While boiling water only concentrates fluoride content, there are many filters on the market that remove fluoride from water. The price range is typically between $250 to $500 – a much cheaper alternative to meet a family’s hydration needs than bottled water.

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Take action!
Join the fight against bottled water. Click here to find out how you can get a bottled water ban in your municipality or at your school board.

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