I am writing regarding Frances Dance’s letter (Herald, Mar. 21). I sympathize with her hyperthyroidism. My uncle had the disease and had to have a total thyroidectomy. However, that is no reason to take such an anti-science view.
She states, “My calcium was above normal. I think this was caused by fluoride in the water.” This is demonstrably false. Fluoride is an entirely separate element on the periodic table and in no reality would ever increase calcium.
Continuing, she expresses, “I should be the poster child for fluoride.” Not only is this a laughably self-centered claim, it is ignorant. In all the research I’ve read, there is no link between fluoride and thyroid health. The few that claimed it did have an effect claimed it caused Hypothyroidism, the opposite of the condition she has.
Lastly, she proclaims, “I would love it if this unnatural chemical was taken out of the water.” Again, a ridiculous claim. Fluoride is a naturally occurring element, not a chemical, yet alone an unnatural one. In fact, Durango’s water naturally contains 0.24 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride. It is simply increased to a level of 0.7 ppm.
Don’t fall prey to these anti-science arguments, vote to keep fluoride in our water!
Justin Cleary
Durango
