I have been concerned by moves in Southampton to consider water fluoridation - if they accept it then it will make things easier for it to happen elsewhere. See more re fluoridation here and questions answered here.Anyhow The Echo in Southampton is running an online story on fluoride - it is producing lots of comments - including one from me - see here or here - fluoride story is top left but may well change within hours?
My comment left in haste: Aside from the crucial ethical issue here of mass medication, let us not forget the Government's York Review (as mentioned in the last comment) did not conclude that water fluoridation was safe and called for more research. The review also found water fluoridation to be significantly associated with high levels of dental fluorosis which was not characterised as "just a cosmetic issue". Tooth decay in 12- year-olds has reduced across Europe irrespective of whether there is fluoride in the water. Indeed most countries have ended the practice of water fluoridation, some because of possible health risks. I am dismayed that Southampton, a city where I used to live, should be considering such an unethical move based on such poor science.
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South East Green MEP Labels Public Consultation On Southampton Water Fluoridation A ‘Sham’
South East Green MEP Labels Public Consultation On Southampton Water Fluoridation A ‘Sham’
28 May 2008 - Dr Caroline Lucas MEP has slammed the public consultation process on water fluoridation in Southampton today, after a local campaigner was refused permission to speak at a public meeting.
The public consultation meeting, to be held by South Central Strategic Health Authority in Newbury tomorrow, is meant to provide an open space for local residents and campaigners to voice their concerns on plans by the Primary Care Trust and the SHA to add fluoride to water in the area.
But South West Hants Green Party campaigner John Spottiswoode has been told by officials that he will not be able to outline the dangers of fluoridation, and thus the meeting panel looks set to include only those who support the scheme.
South East MEP Dr Lucas said: “By refusing a platform for a concerned activist at tomorrow’s meeting in Newbury, Southampton health chiefs have exposed their consultation process as an undemocratic sham. Before making this crucial decision on water fluoridation, they have a public duty to listen to evidence from both sides of the debate.
“New research was presented to the Petitions Committee in the European Parliament this week which showed an epidemic of dental fluorosis affecting children in the Republic of Ireland in areas where a policy of fluoridation has been implemented.
“This alarming research from the Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment is now being investigated by both the Parliament and the European Commission.
“Fluoride, or fluorosilicic acid, is an untested hazardous waste, and to add it to drinking water to supposedly prevent tooth decay is disproportionate and cannot be justified. This scheme would amount to a mass medication of the population in Southampton, and could seriously infringe the EU’s Drinking Water Directive, the Waste Directive and the Medicines Directive.
“Water fluoridation has simply not been proven to be effective for teeth, particularly when the bad effects of dental fluorosis are taken into account. Furthermore, many studies have indicated links between water fluoridation and serious ill health effects, including thyroid problems, skeletal fluorosis, bone cancers and mental problems.
Dr Lucas concluded: “Health officials in Southampton must take into account all of the concerns which have been expressed on this issue, instead of committing to this unpopular strategy.”
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