Rutland rejects fluoridation ban

RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – Rutland voters on Tuesday once again rejected a proposal to ban fluoridation of the city’s drinking water.

The measure failed by a margin of 2,031 to 1,334.

It’s the second time in the past eight years that voters have considered the issue. A similar measure was also rejected in 2016.

Fluoridation has been a common practice for more than 75 years after scientists found that children who drank water with naturally high levels of fluoride had less tooth decay.

Jack Crowther, a long-time fluoride skeptic, was behind both attempts to ban it. He says it is a question of informed consent and people being able to make medical decisions on their own.

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