No firm evidence to show fluoridation is better for children’s teeth

DOCTOR Seamus O’Hickey of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health (Letters, April 13) criticised my letter (April 11) on the serious adverse effects of water fluoridation on people’s health.

Firstly, he says the fluoride added to our water is “a primary product derived from fluorspar (a mineral containing between 30% and 98 % calcium fluoride)”.

It is true that fluorspar or fluorite does occur naturally and the “primary product” derived from it is hydrofluorosilicic acid, a highly corrosive substance and an industrial byproduct from the phosphate fertiliser industry which also has to be tested for arsenic, copper, lead and uranium, among other substances.