The House today passed House Bill 16, sponsored by State Representative Mark Hart of Pendleton County.

A bill to let water systems decide whether to put fluoride in drinking water.

Right now, the state requires it.

Backers of the bill worry that fluoride in water can cause lower IQs, ADHD, weaker bones and osteoporosis.

This, opponents say fluoride in small doses doesn't cause any of those problems.

And they're worried the absence of fluoride will hurt children's teeth and cause other health problems later in life.

But sleep apnea, lifelong speech and breathing issues, chronic jaw pain and worse outcomes for cardiovascular health and diabetes due to periodontitis.

So I'm thinking about those children today and the issues that they might have to deal with for the remainder of their life because they might not have.

No, they should have put extra fluoride in.

They could not afford or could not go get their own toothpaste.

They could not schedule their own dentist appointments.

I worked in a water district.

I changed out the fluoride containers that came in and a gas form in large cylinders.

When we set those cylinders on, we were forced for safety and OSHA reasons, to wear protective gear.

We had to wear a full face mask where a large vest and a different type of material, almost a fireproof, if you will, our fire retardant type, type of vest.

While we change that out because it says it literally comes in a container with the crossbones on it.

I'm talking Pirates of the Caribbean.

The bill passed 68 to 29, with some Republicans voting against it with House passage, it now moves on to the Senate.