NEW YORK, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/—Fifty-three cities rejected fluoridation in referenda held in four states on November 4, 2008, according to the Fluoride Action Network (FAN).

Lobbied by the Nebraska Dental Association and supported by the American Dental Association (ADA), the Nebraska legislature passed a law in April 2008, over the Governor’s veto, to require all Nebraska cities with populations over 1,000 to add fluoride chemicals into water supplies unless cities opt-out by 2010. Forty-nine Nebraska cities said "no thanks" in referenda on Election Day.

Residents in Corning, NY, passed a citizen-initiated referendum to rescind their city council’s right to decide the issue for them—effectively halting fluoridation. A pro-fluoridation dentist raised $100,000, mostly from dental organizations, to fund the fluoridation scheme. Corning joins 15 communities in New York state that have rejected fluoridation in recent years.

Also voting down fluoridation: Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; Jackman and Moose River, Maine.

"Once again we have seen confirmed—from Maine to Nebraska—that informed citizens, when given a choice, will reject fluoridation," says FAN Executive Director, Paul Connett, PhD. "This is not surprising considering twenty-three studies now link fluoride exposure to lowered IQ."

According to Connett, these rejections bode well for a citizen fight back in Louisiana. After years of trying, the ADA and the Louisiana Dental Association expended much money and lobbying efforts to finally convince a novice group of Louisiana State Legislators to pass a fluoridation mandate law this year. However, cities can still opt out after petitioning 15 percent of registered voters for a referendum which must then pass by a majority of voters.

Alamo Heights, Texas, rejected fluoridation in September 2008. A city council member who is a retired geophysicist, with a keen interest in research and the time to do it, confronted Texas "fluoridation experts" who were unable to answer important safety questions. As a result, the council unanimously said "No" to fluoridation.

Other U.S. cities rejecting fluoridation in 2008 prior to Election Day: Littleton and Yarmouth, Massachusetts; Poughkeepsie, NY; Manila, California; Marion, Wisconsin.

In Canada: Quebec City, Quebec; Dryden, Welland, Pelham, and parts of Thorold, Ontario.

In the UK: Isle of Man; Pendle, Hyndburn, and Lancashire, England.

In New Zealand: Alexandra, Earnslceugh/Manuheriki and Cromwell.