Australia - Fluoride issue hotly debated

But it's one of the most hotly debated issues looming during the current local government election campaign.

Local councils have the power to decide whether or not their water supply will be fluoridated. Mackay has fluoridated water.

ASD Healthy Life nutritionist Penny Dawes said being for or against water fluoridation was not simple.

"There are proponents of it that would say it is beneficial for dental health," Ms Dawes said

"Some people will be able to get rid of the fluoride quite easily and some cannot eliminate it from the body as easily," she said.

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About 60% of fluoride that entered the body was excreted through the kidneys which left 40% that would possibly remain, Ms Dawes said.

"There are potentially (health) conditions related to fluoride," she said.

While thyroid problems, fatigue, depression and such could result from accumulation of fluoride, each individual was different, Ms Dawes said.

"It could be the fluoride causing that, but often it is difficult to say and it is often difficult to prove these things."

Ms Dawes said she often described children as 'canaries in a coal mine' because some were more chemically sensitive than adults.

"They (the children) are increasingly at risk of being exposed to chemicals and chemicals within the environment," she said.

Ms Dawes advises people to be mindful and filter their water and to be careful about what type of filter they use. "Not all are created equally, but you can get some that will filter out fluoride," she said.

A study by the NSW Government Health Department states water fluoridation is cost-effective and cost saving. It found for every $1 million invested over 15 years, $7 million would be saved in five to 20 years.

We asked the Mackay Regional Council mayoral candidates: Where do you stand on the issue of fluoridation?

Vote

Pre-polling will close on March 18

To vote before the March 19 polling day go to the 500 Pavilion at Mackay showgrounds.