Santa Fe To Stop Adding Fluoride To Water Supply

The city of Santa Fe will stop adding fluoride to its municipal drinking water after doing so since 1955.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the City Council made changes to instead require water managers to monitor naturally occurring fluoride so it doesn't exceed the maximum level recommended by federal standards.

Council member Chris Calvert says most of the fluoride added to the water supply went back into the environment because much of it doesn't get ingested by people.

The city has added the mineral to its water supply since 1955 because of the belief that it helps reduce tooth decay.

Environmental regulators say Santa Fe is one of only two cities in the state that adds fluoride to its drinking water system.

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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.