Report Title:

Fluoridation; Health and Safety Concerns; DOH Study

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, poor oral health among children and vulnerable adult populations is among the most widespread and pressing public health problems identified in Hawaii. Affecting most Hawaii residents at one time or another, tooth decay causes pain, loss of productivity at school and work, expensive treatment, and the risk of severe, even life-threatening infection; and

WHEREAS, based upon Department of Health Dental Health Division 1999 findings among public elementary school children statewide, children in Hawaii have tooth decay (dental caries) rates that far exceed those documented on the United States mainland; and

WHEREAS, at an average of 3.9 decayed teeth per child, the rate of dental caries among children ages five through nine in Hawaii is 2.1 times the last published United States national average of 1.9; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's dental caries prevalence rate is among the highest in the nation with rates among Hawaii's native Hawaiians (4.2) and Filipinos (5.5) exceeding the national average by 2.2 and 2.9 times, respectively; and

WHEREAS, community water fluoridation is considered the basis for all community health strategies aimed at reducing oral disease prevalence and disparities; and

WHEREAS, identified by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the top ten greatest public health achievements of the past century, community water fluoridation benefits children and adults equally and has a demonstrated cost to benefit ratio of 1:80. That is, for every $1 spent on community water fluoridation, the public will experience $80 in savings related to reduced dental treatment expenses; and

WHEREAS, comprehensive studies released this year by the University of York in Great Britain, New Zealand Ministry of Health, University of West Florida, the Texas State Legislature, and United States Surgeon General Doctor David Satcher conclude that community water fluoridation is safe, effective, economical, and beneficial for people of all ages. Findings include significantly lower dental treatment costs associated with the Texas Medicaid program in fluoridated communities and increased bone density with reduced risk of fracture among older American women residing long-term in fluoridated communities; and

WHEREAS, nationally, an estimated one hundred forty-five million Americans currently benefit from optimally fluoridated drinking water; and

WHEREAS, in 1987, the Legislature considered fluoridating water in Hawaii but did not enact legislation to do so even though the Department of Health testified at the time that there was overwhelming evidence that fluoridation was beneficial, especially benefiting children and the poor; and

WHEREAS, in an article appearing in the Honolulu Advertiser on February 9, 1990, the Department of Health reversed its opinion and expressed doubt whether the tooth decay-fighting chemical should be added to Hawaii’s drinking water after a federal study linked fluoride with bone cancer; and

WHEREAS, before legislation is adopted to require fluoridation of Hawaii’s drinking water, the Department of Health must conduct a definitive study to clarify its own position to the Legislature, and to address concerns raised related to the health and safety of fluoridating the public water system; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to conduct a definitive study on the effectiveness of fluoridation that also addresses concerns relating to the health and safety of fluoridating Hawaii’s drinking water; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to address the following concerns in its study:

(4) Lack of Environmental Protection Agency approval;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to include in its study:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Health is requested to submit findings and recommendations, including any necessary proposed legislation, not later that twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.