Safe Water Campaign meets

This afternoon a meeting of the Safe Water Campaign for Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire - 8 core members met but no one from Wiltshire this time. No doubt there will be something on our blogsite soon re this - fortunately another member has now taken over updating that.

Photo: Todays meeting in Stroud and below Citizen with scary photo!

We discussed a variety of issues - including feedback from our successful AGM meeting and the launch of the beermats (although have to say I'm not so happy with photo in Citizen last week re the launch - scary guy!!). Also a secret - it's not beer - it was an organic cola - borrowed from one of our members sons. The first batch of beer mats are already out - we have another 200 on order - so plan further distribution in coming months - if you know a pub that will take them do contact us.

We also discussed the latest nationally - wont go into all details here otherthan to say the group expressed concerns re Manchesters' bid to put fluoride in water - they are looking at various schemes arguing that adding fluoride to the water supply could help improve dental health. As anybody with even a basic look at the science will see this is nonsense - the research just does not stack up - even if you don't take account of massively increased rates of fluorosis.

If primary care trust bosses in September decide any of the options are viable, NHS North West will hold a public consultation - expected to last four months - into the plans. Anti-fluoride campaigner Paul Cline has commented in the press: "I am not against the health authority providing fluoride toothpaste or sprays to children with poor dental health but they cannot justify mass medication of all children, their parents, grandparents and neighbours."

Meanwhile one issue we also discussed was the Chinese research - see photo left - they have not surprisingly stopped fluoridating like most of the rest of the world. It seems ironic that the university cities of Manchester and Southampton are first to be looking to lower IQs!

Have your questions re water fluoridation answered here or leave a comment on this blog item.