UK - 'Mass medication is not the answer': Councillors urged to say no to fluoride
'Mass medication is not the answer': Councillors urged to say no to fluoride
Date: 19 August 2009
By Michael Peel
COUNCILLORS will be asked to reaffirm their position on putting fluoride in drinking water.
Six years ago they told the Government that the chemical was harmful to humans, animals and the environment.
They overwhelmingly agreed that its supposed benefits were based on unsound medical science and adding it to drinking water defied all comADVERTISEMENTmon medical ethics.
Craig Whittaker, who put the case to Calderdale Council in July 2003, will do so again at the council meeting in October.
"It is totally unacceptable that the health authority is able to force people to have fluoride in their water. It defies the most basic of human rights, that people have control over their own bodies," he said.
The controversial issue is back on the agenda following warnings, reported by the Courier, that parts of Calderdale could get fluoride in their water if neighbouring areas go ahead with the mass medication.
Health bosses in Kirklees and Bradford want to use the chemical to improve dental health.
Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority is undertaking a study into the possibility of putting fluoride into water supplies at the request of NHS Bradford and Airedale and NHS Kirklees.
"The rationale is to improve the dental health of children but such attempts always prove controversial," said Coun Whittaker (Con, Rastrick).
"Research clearly shows that continued exposure to fluoride can have significant health implications; the process that the Government has set down for making this decision goes against the fundamental principle of freedom of choice. "People can choose to buy a fluoride toothpaste or fluoride tablets – mass medication is not and never will be the answer."
The health authority's study is due to be completed in spring 2010. It will then consult the public on its findings.
Date: 19 August 2009
By Michael Peel
COUNCILLORS will be asked to reaffirm their position on putting fluoride in drinking water.
Six years ago they told the Government that the chemical was harmful to humans, animals and the environment.
They overwhelmingly agreed that its supposed benefits were based on unsound medical science and adding it to drinking water defied all comADVERTISEMENTmon medical ethics.
Craig Whittaker, who put the case to Calderdale Council in July 2003, will do so again at the council meeting in October.
"It is totally unacceptable that the health authority is able to force people to have fluoride in their water. It defies the most basic of human rights, that people have control over their own bodies," he said.
The controversial issue is back on the agenda following warnings, reported by the Courier, that parts of Calderdale could get fluoride in their water if neighbouring areas go ahead with the mass medication.
Health bosses in Kirklees and Bradford want to use the chemical to improve dental health.
Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority is undertaking a study into the possibility of putting fluoride into water supplies at the request of NHS Bradford and Airedale and NHS Kirklees.
"The rationale is to improve the dental health of children but such attempts always prove controversial," said Coun Whittaker (Con, Rastrick).
"Research clearly shows that continued exposure to fluoride can have significant health implications; the process that the Government has set down for making this decision goes against the fundamental principle of freedom of choice. "People can choose to buy a fluoride toothpaste or fluoride tablets – mass medication is not and never will be the answer."
The health authority's study is due to be completed in spring 2010. It will then consult the public on its findings.
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