116             
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES             H.R. NO.              
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     HOUSE  RESOLUTION

  REQUESTING A STUDY OF FLUORIDATION OF DRINKING WATER.
 


 1        WHEREAS, tooth decay is a dental disease that is
 2   preventable; and
 3   
 4        WHEREAS, the prevention of tooth decay is a public health
 5   issue; and
 6   
 7        WHEREAS, the only sure means of preventing or reducing
 8   tooth decay for the general public is through fluoridation of
 9   the water; and
10   
11        WHEREAS, fluoridation of water in Hawaii was considered by
12   the legislature in 1987, but did not result in legislation; and
13   
14        WHEREAS, in 1987, then Director of Health John Lewin
15   testified before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means that
16   there was "overwhelming evidence" that water fluoridation was
17   beneficial "and especially benefits children and the poor",
18   according to an article appearing in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin
19   on March 8, 1987; and
20   
21        WHEREAS, John Lewin changed his opinion after a federal
22   study linked fluoride with bone cancer, saying he was not sure
23   the tooth decay-fighting chemical should be added to Hawaii's
24   drinking water, according to an article appearing in the
25   Honolulu Advertiser on February 9, 1990; and
26   
27        WHEREAS, most major American health organizations,
28   including the United States Public Health Service, the American
29   Dental Association, and the American Medical Association, have
30   endorsed fluoridation, according to an article appearing in the
31   Honolulu Star-Bulletin on December 16, 1990; and
32   
33        WHEREAS, the Dental Health Division of the Department of
34   Health supports fluoridation of drinking water as being safe
35   and effective, and as being used in every state and on military
36   bases in Hawaii; and
37   
38        WHEREAS, before legislation is adopted to require
39   fluoridation of Hawaii's drinking water, a study should be
40   conducted by the Legislative Reference Bureau during the

 
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                                  H.R. NO.              
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1   interim period following the 1999 Regular Session, to:
 2   
 3        (1)  Explore the safety, effectiveness, costs,
 4             implementation, installation of equipment, and
 5             maintenance requirements of water fluoridation; and
 6   
 7        (2)  Make recommendations on appropriate legislation,
 8             including whether fluoridation should be required of
 9             all county drinking water systems or left to the
10             discretion of each county;
11   
12   now, therefore, 
13   
14        BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
15   Twentieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session
16   of 1999, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to
17   study the issue of fluoridation of Hawaii's drinking water; and
18   
19        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health,
20   Hawaii Dental Association, and the School of Public Health of
21   the University of Hawaii are requested to cooperate with the
22   Legislative Reference Bureau on the study; and
23   
24        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference
25   Bureau report its findings and recommendations to the Senate
26   prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2000; and
27   
28        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
29   Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative
30   Reference Bureau, Department of Health, Hawaii Dental
31   Association, and the University of Hawaii School of Public
32   Health.
33   
34 
35 
36 
37                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________