Minister must come clean on the hazard of fluoride in water
The Irish Government's proposed report on fluoride is 12 months past thepublication deadline, which shows an irresponsible lack of concern for the health and welfare of Irish citizens, who have no choice but to swallow fluoride daily in their public water supply.
In light of the Belgian authorities' recent decision to ban the addition of fluoride to drinking water and in all ingested products, this issue of great importance to public health, can no longer be ignored.
The Belgian government described fluoride as "insidious poison" and fluoride research in all other EU countries and the USA and Australia has long since led to its removal from public drinking water supplies. These countries still rank ahead of Ireland for dental hygiene the original justification for the mass medication of our citizens with fluoride, through the drinking water supply.
Serious concerns have been expressed by the scientific community that over-use of fluoride increases the risk of osteoporosis, could damage the nervous system and contributes to irritable bowel disease. Since seven out of 10 babies in Ireland are bottle-fed, thousands of Irish infants are also at risk from water fluoridation.
In Ireland, 73% of water supply is treated with fluoride, the highest rate of any EU nation. In comparison, the UK, the only other country to continue the practice, treats just 10% of its supply.
I am hoping that the Minister for Health will come clean on the risks of fluoride in our public water supply and publish his long overdue report.
Avril Doyle MEP, Leinster,
Kitestown House,
Crossbeg,
Co Wexford.
