Portland, Ore., approves adding fluoride to water
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The City Council has voted to add fluoride to Portland's water, meaning Oregon's largest city is no longer the biggest holdout in the U.S.
The ordinance approved Wednesday morning calls for the city water to be fluoridated by March 2014.
Health experts say fluoride is effecftive against tooth decay. Opponents of public fluoridation say it's unsafe and violates an individual's right to consent to medicine.
Voters in Portland twice rejected fluoridation before approving it in 1978. But that plan was ovderturned before any fluoride was ever added to the water.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.