Australia - Health fears over fluoride overdose prevail
RESIDENTS still fear for their health a week after it was revealed water with up to 40 times the recommended level of fluoride was pumped into two Pine Rivers suburbs.
Warner mother of five Tamara Hamilton said she was concerned for the safety of her infant.
``Everyone in Warner is concerned if it is a one-off thing and whether we need to buy bottled water for our children,’’ Ms Hamilton said. Eatons Hill environmentalist Daniel Boon said the fluoride Brendale and Warner residents were exposed to was equal to 30 fluoride tablets in a glass of water.
The recommended dose of fluoride in water is from 0.8mg/L to 1.5mg/L.
However, Pine Rivers residents received 30mg/L of fluoride in their water on May 1.
``The Premier has denied that there was even a health risk.
``I’d like to see Anna Bligh quaff that,’’ Mr Boon said.
An opponent of fluoridation of the water supply, Mr Boon was sceptical of government claims the accident did not pose a health risk, despite fluoride flowing into homes for three hours on May 1 at up to 40 times the recommended concentration.
``People particularly at risk include diabetics, the kidney-impaired, people with chemical sensitivity and infants with developing teeth,’’ Mr Boon said.
Cashmere resident Melanie Matthias said: ``If they can’t get this right then heaven help us when recycled water comes.’’
AMA Queensland president Dr Chris Davis said high levels of fluoride could cause teeth discoloration and brittleness of bones but that was only after months or years of overdosing.
Dr Davis said short-term effects would be mainly ``gastro’’ and stomach aches and children would be the most prone to these.
``We have had no confirmed reported cases,’’ Dr Davis said.
Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland supported the call. ``Residents deserve answers. Such incidents cannot be allowed to happen again,’’ he said.
SEQwater said it was taking action to ensure it was a one-off incident.
Water Grid manager acting CEO Barry Dennien said parts of Pine Rivers would not receive fluoridated water until the inquiry was over.
He said Brisbane-based International Water Centre CEO Mark Pascoe was conducting the inquiry.
``The independent investigation will examine how the incident occurred and how (North Pine manager) SEQwater can ensure this does not happen again,’’ Mr Dennien said.
He said immediate action had been taken to ensure there was no repeat.
Queensland Council for Civil Liberties president Michael Cope said residents should be able to sue over fluoride bungles.
Warner mother of five Tamara Hamilton said she was concerned for the safety of her infant.
``Everyone in Warner is concerned if it is a one-off thing and whether we need to buy bottled water for our children,’’ Ms Hamilton said. Eatons Hill environmentalist Daniel Boon said the fluoride Brendale and Warner residents were exposed to was equal to 30 fluoride tablets in a glass of water.
The recommended dose of fluoride in water is from 0.8mg/L to 1.5mg/L.
However, Pine Rivers residents received 30mg/L of fluoride in their water on May 1.
``The Premier has denied that there was even a health risk.
``I’d like to see Anna Bligh quaff that,’’ Mr Boon said.
An opponent of fluoridation of the water supply, Mr Boon was sceptical of government claims the accident did not pose a health risk, despite fluoride flowing into homes for three hours on May 1 at up to 40 times the recommended concentration.
``People particularly at risk include diabetics, the kidney-impaired, people with chemical sensitivity and infants with developing teeth,’’ Mr Boon said.
Cashmere resident Melanie Matthias said: ``If they can’t get this right then heaven help us when recycled water comes.’’
AMA Queensland president Dr Chris Davis said high levels of fluoride could cause teeth discoloration and brittleness of bones but that was only after months or years of overdosing.
Dr Davis said short-term effects would be mainly ``gastro’’ and stomach aches and children would be the most prone to these.
``We have had no confirmed reported cases,’’ Dr Davis said.
Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland supported the call. ``Residents deserve answers. Such incidents cannot be allowed to happen again,’’ he said.
SEQwater said it was taking action to ensure it was a one-off incident.
Water Grid manager acting CEO Barry Dennien said parts of Pine Rivers would not receive fluoridated water until the inquiry was over.
He said Brisbane-based International Water Centre CEO Mark Pascoe was conducting the inquiry.
``The independent investigation will examine how the incident occurred and how (North Pine manager) SEQwater can ensure this does not happen again,’’ Mr Dennien said.
He said immediate action had been taken to ensure there was no repeat.
Queensland Council for Civil Liberties president Michael Cope said residents should be able to sue over fluoride bungles.
posted by Bill at
9:36 AM
1 Comments:
The water supply containing about 30mg/l Sodium Silicofluoride delivered to about 4000 Brendale and Warner homes on Brisbane’s northside occurred between 9am and midday on May 2, 2009, not May 1 as previously reported.
See “Govt admits date mix-up in fluoride overdose”
By
illusion9, at 20 May, 2009
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