Australia - Fluoride a cancer risk says expert
Fluoride a cancer risk says expert
MONIQUE CRAPPERJune 15, 2007
THE heated debate over whether Warrnambool should have fluoridated water took an alarming turn yesterday with a renowned environmental scientist claiming it could cause bone cancer in men. Sydney-based scientist Mark Diesendorf suggested that men exposed to fluoridated water at a young age could be at risk of the disease later in life.
However, the Department of Human Services was quick to denounce the claim as rubbish.
Department spokesman Bram Alexander said the claim had been made before and had been discounted by the Cancer Council of Australia.
``We've had it looked at by the Cancer Council and they found nothing to suggest there was any relation between cancer and fluoride,'' Mr Alexander said. ``We would not put something in our water that was unsafe.
Dr Diesendorf, a senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales, has a history of questioning the benefits of fluoride and is the author of several studies on the issue dating back to the 1970s.
His most recent work Are Proponents Of Water Fluoridation Suppressing Scientific Evidence And Debate? was published in 2003.
"There is worrying evidence, but not conclusive, that fluoride can cause bone cancer in men who are exposed to it at a young age,'' he said.
Dr Diesendorf said he believed it was irresponsible for authorities to put fluoride in water supplies.
"There is worrying evidence ... that fluoride can cause bone cancer in men who are exposed to it at a young age.'' Mark Diesendorf
Dr Diesendorf said scientific evidence on the effects of fluoride were inconclusive. He said bore water, like the supply at Port Fairy, had natural levels of fluoride which were higher than normal.
The DHS renewed calls in May to fluoridate Warrnambool's water supply to prevent tooth decay in adults and children.
Earlier this month the state's health authority released an information booklet to Wannon Water customers highlighting the benefits of fluoridated water.
Fluoridation of the city's drinking water has the backing of local dentists and health professionals.
MONIQUE CRAPPERJune 15, 2007
THE heated debate over whether Warrnambool should have fluoridated water took an alarming turn yesterday with a renowned environmental scientist claiming it could cause bone cancer in men. Sydney-based scientist Mark Diesendorf suggested that men exposed to fluoridated water at a young age could be at risk of the disease later in life.
However, the Department of Human Services was quick to denounce the claim as rubbish.
Department spokesman Bram Alexander said the claim had been made before and had been discounted by the Cancer Council of Australia.
``We've had it looked at by the Cancer Council and they found nothing to suggest there was any relation between cancer and fluoride,'' Mr Alexander said. ``We would not put something in our water that was unsafe.
Dr Diesendorf, a senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales, has a history of questioning the benefits of fluoride and is the author of several studies on the issue dating back to the 1970s.
His most recent work Are Proponents Of Water Fluoridation Suppressing Scientific Evidence And Debate? was published in 2003.
"There is worrying evidence, but not conclusive, that fluoride can cause bone cancer in men who are exposed to it at a young age,'' he said.
Dr Diesendorf said he believed it was irresponsible for authorities to put fluoride in water supplies.
"There is worrying evidence ... that fluoride can cause bone cancer in men who are exposed to it at a young age.'' Mark Diesendorf
Dr Diesendorf said scientific evidence on the effects of fluoride were inconclusive. He said bore water, like the supply at Port Fairy, had natural levels of fluoride which were higher than normal.
The DHS renewed calls in May to fluoridate Warrnambool's water supply to prevent tooth decay in adults and children.
Earlier this month the state's health authority released an information booklet to Wannon Water customers highlighting the benefits of fluoridated water.
Fluoridation of the city's drinking water has the backing of local dentists and health professionals.
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