On Wednesday, the Grand Rapids Press ran an article titled "Fluoride pioneer Grand Rapids rethinks safety of putting chemical in water." According to the article, Grand Rapids--which became the first city in the United States to add fluoride to its drinking water--is studying the city's use of fluoride as it relates to the city's sustainability practices and the release of toxins into the environment.

The article, while raising the prospect of the city discontinuing the use of fluoride, generally minimized criticisms of fluoride. The article did not quote any opponents of fluoride and contained information from the CDC saying that fluoride is safe. Only two sentences in the article raised specific concerns:

"Opponents of fluoridation have said the chemical can be toxic, and some evidence shows it might cause weak bones, thyroid problems, bone cancer and other problems. Malfunctioning fluoridation systems in some cities have poisoned residents, they contend."

However, as Mediamouse.org reported last September when the city unveiled a new fluoride monument, there have been persistent concerns raised about fluoride and the process by which it has been added to water systems in the United States. Many of these concerns have been documented by reporter Christopher Bryson who wrote the book The Fluoride Deception.

An interview with Bryson is viewable below: