| The UK government is talking again about | | | | |
| compulsory fluoridation of our water | | | | Currently in Britain 6 million people, mainly |
| supplies. City councils across Britain are | | | | in the West Midlands and North East, drink |
| lining up in opposition to the governments | | | | fluoridated water. Fluoride is a by-product |
| proposal to make fluoridation of our water | | | | of the aluminium and fertiliser industries |
| supplies compulsory. | | | | and fluoridation is a cheap way for these |
| | | | industries to get rid of a substance which, |
| Liverpool, Bradford, Brighton & Hove, | | | | among other things, contains arsenic, lead |
| Lancaster and Calderdale councils have all | | | | and mercury. |
| officially stated their opposition to the | | | | |
| moves, which could become law by the end of | | | | Fluoride does inhibit the enzymes that cause |
| the year. In Manchester, said to be first on | | | | tooth decay, but leading scientists claim it |
| the governments fluoridation hit list, Green | | | | has harmful effects which outweigh the |
| councillor Vanessa Hall said Manchester | | | | benefits. Dental fluorosis, characterised by |
| Greens will lead a major campaign against | | | | discoloured, blackened, mottled, or chalky |
| fluoridation. | | | | white teeth is a result of overexposure to |
| | | | fluoride in childhood, while a chronic intake |
| The bill, which comes up for second reading | | | | of excessive fluoride can lead to severe and |
| on 8 September, is already causing major | | | | permanent bone and joint deformations. |
| distress among individuals. Jane Jones of the | | | | |
| National Pure Water Association (NPWA) said: | | | | In the US, where 165 million people drink |
| There has been a huge response to this issue. | | | | fluoridated water, the National Cancer |
| People from all over the country are ringing | | | | Institute and National Health Federation have |
| us up and saying theyre not going to pay | | | | attributed 35,000 cancer deaths a year to |
| their water bills. | | | | water fluoridation. Even the UK governments |
| | | | own review in 1999 found that 48 per cent of |
| Around 160 MPs have signed an Early Day | | | | people living in fluoridated areas suffer |
| Motion opposing the plans. They are mostly | | | | from dental fluorosis. |
| contesting the amendment which allows | | | | |
| unelected health authorities to compel water | | | | Concerned UK water companies have sought |
| companies to add fluoride to water supplies | | | | indemnities from the government against civil |
| where there is strong local support?. | | | | and criminal litigation if fluoridation gets |
| | | | on the statue book. Forensic ecologist Doug |
| According to the government fluoridated water | | | | Cross said: The current offer of indemnity to |
| is the best way to reduce tooth decay among | | | | water suppliers in the new water bill is |
| children from deprived areas. But the Green | | | | illegal and unenforceable since fluoridation |
| Party remains critical; the party has just | | | | is illegal. |
| come up with a report entitled Truth Decay, | | | | |
| which shows that levels of tooth decay are | | | | Under the International Convention on Human |
| the same in fluoridated Gateshead and | | | | Rights and Biomedicine everyone has the right |
| unfluoridated Liverpool. A party spokesperson | | | | to choose or refuse any medical or preventive |
| said: We want a complete ban on the | | | | treatment. The use of fluoride to |
| fluoridation of water supplies. We should | | | | indiscriminately medicate populations could |
| educate children and adults about the need | | | | therefore be viewed as illegal a fact likely |
| for a healthy diet, dental hygiene and | | | | to loom large in the subsequent |
| cutting down on excessive sugar intake. | | | | anti-fluoridation campaigns. |