NPWA

***Immediate Release***

South Central SHA's fluoride proposal fails the “cogency” test

South Central SHA has failed to make a cogent case for their proposal for Southern Water to add tonnes of fluorosilicic acid annually to the drinking water supplies of 200,000 people in Southampton and Southwest Hampshire.  The health authority is unable to cite one high-quality scientific study to justify its plan, but, under Department of Health Guidelines, will require objectors to meet a “cogency” threshold during its fluoridation consultation, which starts today.  

On Thursday 12 June 2008 the Isle of Man's Department of Health & Social Security announced via press release (below) that they have officially abandoned all plans to fluoridate the Manx water supply, the decision was backed by the island's Council of Ministers. The message sent by Isle of Man campaign group Save Our Water follows:

Currently about 6 million people (10% of the U.K. population, mainly in the West Midlands and Newcastle) receive water artificially fluoridated to 1 part per million (1 ppm ≡1 milligram per litre). This is achieved by the addition of fluorosilicic acid, a by-product of the phosphate fertiliser and ceramics industries, to water at the treatment works. Few waters in Britain contain more than 0.1 ppm natural fluoride but in a few places (e.g. Hartlepool and parts of Essex) water contains 1 ppm of natural calcium or magnesium fluoride. Dietary sources of fluoride include tea (approx. 1.5 mg per beaker), fish, fruit juices, toothpaste, dental procedures and medicines. People drink different amounts of tap water and obtain fluoride from other sources, so water fluoridation gives no control of anyone’s total fluoride intake.

Our Association placed an advertorial called 'Riding the Fluoridation Tiger' in the March edition of the Parliamentary Monitor opposite a comment page on fluoridation. Unfortunately, the Parliamentary Monitor article on fluoridation is premium content but you can read our advertorial here.

The full version of our article appeared in the April edition of the Ecologist.  Read it here