Australians turn to home treatment to remove fluoride

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — Drinking water treatment equipment sales across the state of Queensland, of which Brisbane is the capital, are soaring following the introduction of a nearly statewide fluoridation program, according to a December 30 article in The Courier Mail.
Almost 80 percent of southeast Queensland homes now receive fluoridated water; other areas soon will come on line.
Gary Young, owner/manager of Water Wizard, a Brisbane-based, family-operated water treatment company, told the Courier Mail that he has been inundated with inquiries since the Queensland government announced the fluoridation program. He said, “I’m having to bring more (equipment) over (from overseas) because we’ve just about sold out.”
Young said one system that effectively reduces fluoride uses reverse osmosis technology, but he noted that not even the best such systems could eliminate all traces of fluoride.
Young said in the article that typical units can range from 400 Australian dollars (US$276) to A$1,000 (US$690), and can cost up to A$150 (US$104) a year to maintain.