The Wisconsin Rapids City Council recently rejected a proposal to ban water fluoridation, the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune reported Feb. 19.
Four notes:
1. Discussions about possibly removing fluoride from the city's water supply began in January in response to the National Toxicology Program's 2024 report that linked higher levels of fluoride exposure with lower IQ in children.
2. The city's legislative committee previously approved a proposal to end water fluoridation Feb. 4, but City Council President Madalyn Palmquist made a motion to reject the proposal.
3. Ms. Palmquist's motion to reject the legislative committee's proposal was approved in a 6-2 vote.
4. Several other cities in the state have decided to discontinue water fluoridation, including Rock Springs, Lake Delton, St. Croix Falls, Hayward, Saukville, Montello, Shell Lake, Balsam Lake and Grantsburg.