Australia - Independent investigation into Queensland’s fluoride overdose incident

Independent investigation into Queensland’s fluoride overdose incident
19 May 2009
THE QUEENSLAND Government has announced an independent investigation into a series of faults in the state’s new south-east water fluoridation system, which saw up to 20 times the allowable dose of fluoride added to drinking water supplies.
Premier Anna Bligh told the State Parliament that International Water Centre chief Mark Pascoe would conduct the enquiry into the overdose incident.
Pascoe will examine the design and operation of the North Pine fluoridation system, as well as its monitoring, notification and emergency systems. He will also look for possible breaches by authorities and report back to the government by 26 June.
The Queensland Government revealed on 14 May that the fluoride was added to water which supplies around 4000 homes in Brisbane’s north.
SEQWater, the government-owned company in charge of the system, has also stated that six of its water treatment plants did not put enough fluoride into the water in the first three months of 2009.
Premier Bligh says the North Pine fluoride dosing system will remain offline while the investigation is carried out.
Fluoride is currently being phased into Queensland’s drinking water supplies and will be available to 95% of the state’s population when the program is finished in December 2012.