A Vermont town’s water superintendent secretly lowered fluoride levels in the water supply for years over concerns about the chemical’s unknown medical effects and the fact it was sourced from Communist China.
Kendall Chamberlin, Richmond’s water and wastewater superintendent, said he didn’t think Vermont’s recommended level of fluoride was warranted.
“My duty is to take reasonable care and judgment for the protection of public health, safety and the environment of my customers,” he said, adding that “to err on the side of caution is not a bad position to be in.”
Some Richmond residents were outraged over Chamberlin’s move to reduce fluoride levels over three years.
“For a single person to unilaterally make the decision that this public health benefit might not be warranted is inappropriate. I think it’s outrageous,” retired Dr. Allen Knowles said at a meeting last month.
“Fluoride, again, is one of the most successful and important public health measures that has ever been undertaken in this country.”
“The reduction in dental disease is just inarguable. You don’t establish safety based on one person’s opinion or one study or this or that,” Knowles added.
Following the public outcry by some Richmond residents, Chamberlin issued an apology virtually.
