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# Fluoride Action Network Newsletter: Action Update
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/fluoride_action_network_newsletter_0414110836/
- Published: 2011-04-14T21:35:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:17:12.000Z
- Description: Andrew Young and Dr. Gerald Durley asked Georgia legislators to repeal the state's 40-year-old mandatory water fluoridation law, citing fairness, safety and disclosure. They note 61 percent of low-income Georgia third-graders have decay despite 96 percent fluoridation coverage.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Environment, Health News, Fluoride, #vivvo-import

**Dear Redaers,**   
  
On Wednesday, Dan Stockin of the Georgia-based [Lillie Center](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=n8flt5dab&et=1105175974074&s=45&e=001pKolvLfD3evU1UFxSmukQYHB3nCZxgbr3XyIbJN-6xdIG8cGN3zrhZVlPTw2m8lPVRsGbnflV5-Thzvim8VCfjQq0RnBISoHPuXhgw2CGdd10Xuc9uftww==&ref=foodconsumer.org), announced that Atlanta civil rights leaders, Andrew Young and Dr. Gerald Durley, have called for Georgia legislators to repeal the state's 40 year old mandatory water fluoridation law. A law that disproportionately harms poor citizens and black families, resulting in higher rates of dental fluorosis and overexposure to fluoride in these populations. Both men have expressed concerns about the fairness, safety, and full disclosure regarding fluoridation in letters submitted to the State's minority and majority legislative leaders this week. 

This is big news, since both Andrew Young and Dr. Gerald Durley are prominent figures in Georgia, and have both been inductees to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. Young is a former U.N. Ambassador and former Mayor of Atlanta, and Reverend Durley is the Pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Currently, fluoride chemicals, added to 96% of Georgia's public drinking water supplies are meant to prevent tooth decay, especially in the poor. Yet, 61% of low-income Georgia third-graders have tooth decay compared to 51% from higher income families - and 33% and 20%, respectively, have untreated cavities showing a dire need for dental care.

Studies show that despite fluoridation, tooth decay is higher in blacks along with fluoride overexposure symptoms - dental fluorosis or discolored teeth.

In his letter to legislators Dr. Durley wrote, "The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences has designated kidney patients, diabetics, seniors, and babies as 'susceptible subpopulations' that are especially vulnerable to harm from ingested fluorides. Black citizens are disproportionately affected by kidney disease and diabetes, and are therefore more impacted by fluorides...I support the holding of Fluoridegate hearings at the state and national level so we can learn why we haven't been openly told that fluorides build up in the body over time (and) why our government agencies haven't told the black community openly that fluorides disproportionately harm black Americans..." 

Ambassador Young wrote, "I am most deeply concerned for poor families who have babies: if they cannot afford unfluoridated water for their babies' milk formula, do their babies not count? Of course they do. This is an issue of fairness, civil rights, and compassion. We must find better ways to prevent cavities, such as helping those most at risk for cavities obtain access to the services of a dentist."

This news comes on the heels of a recent letter sent to the neighboring Tennessee Health Commissioner, by a bipartisan group of Tennessee legislators expressing their concern about fluoridation's undesirable impact on babies and other groups. ([see letter](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=n8flt5dab&et=1105175974074&s=45&e=001pKolvLfD3euKr2tGAvLh3-4WbGpjpNNrdPSMZ5rSYy-LAFk8yf%5FsvZeVNQkPDjHfqx2dC-MBV%5FU4D7Wbf8BthcJWztYd4qPkpyiCiKpJMlA1Cxp2rdF8qK4FzINtYLidGnKPLXWn9ouDlNE73ChPJw==&ref=foodconsumer.org)) 

Today, the Fluoride Action Network shared the news about this momentous call for Georgia legislators to repeal the state's fluoridation law in a nation-wide [press release](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=n8flt5dab&et=1105175974074&s=45&e=001pKolvLfD3ev5BHmWraOR%5FJyoJQ%5F4uUki0oVOpQqR6JbhdJLOdm%5FGl5LztVxoH7ov3SynRDNnIIgo1dgsSKf3pHIUdNK4vae2FR8PQ4IM6Bz47snlhc6ddNWt%5FxY5cjvFGmfPisca5BwKbUCytRzoVw==&ref=foodconsumer.org). We urge you to read the full press release with references, and forward it along to your local media outlets. With you help we can disclose the dangers of fluoride, and its disproportionate impact on some of our most vulnerable populations.

Together we can win this! 

Stuart Cooper, Campaign Director

**Fluoride Action Network**

[http://www.fluoridealert.org/](http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=n8flt5dab&et=1105175974074&s=45&e=001pKolvLfD3etzE8-HH5NG8-3ACYdANPlGGBCzBFsH5LSbPy68dtjY1aSIqPCJTQIUtDX388WgTJ-uVVNj4kQX8gm0uaq8r2xXPGw%5Fy38FWDbwcDPOleciMw==&ref=foodconsumer.org)