News Article

Bill In NJ Legislature Would Require Mandatory Fluoridation Of Public Water Systems

By Phil Gregory, WBGO News
Trenton. February 1, 2012

New Jersey lawmakers are considering legislation that would require fluoride to be added to all public water systems.

While more than 70 percent of residents nationwide have fluoridated water, less than 14 percent of New Jerseyans have it in their community’s water system.

Karen Alexander is president of the New Jersey Utilities Association. She says the costs of equipment to add fluoride to the water would end up being passed along to customers.

“People are already very concerned about the cost of their utility services, so we think that people have a number of other mechanisms to opt for fluoride.”

Jim Schulz with the New Jersey Dental Association supports mandatory fluoridation. He maintains it’s the least expensive and most effective way to improve oral health.

“That cost according to the CDC is about a dollar per person per year and that nets a benefit of about 38 dollars per person per year in oral health benefits.”

Similar measures have stalled in the Legislature for the past several years.

© 2012 WBGO News

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