On two occasions recently, expert speakers on different subjects have been invited to Birmingham city centre by different organisations and – despite publicity – had tiny audiences, one consisting of two people and the other of seven. Solihull is similarly apathetic – see honourable exceptions in the end-note. 
Many causes for concern include: 
  • small amounts (barring accidents) of fluoride, a toxic substance (see Royal Society of Chemistry) added to our water supply – though not in wealthier London and the South.
fluorosis-dentalFluorosis (left) is the mildest affliction; last year, research published in the BMJ,  found that medical practices located in the West Midlands (a wholly fluoridated area) are almost twice as likely to report high hypothyroidism in comparison to Greater Manchester (non-fluoridated area).
The lead author was Professor Stephen Peckham, from the Centre for Health Service Studies (University of Kent).
  • high levels of air pollution leading to early death or chronic disability.
air-pollution-brum
  • New procedures allowing unlabelled radioactive material to be carried on our roads and sometimes by rail – seeparliamentary evidence. (Below formerly labelled vehicles).
nuclear-mareials-lorry-labelled
 How many people will attend the BMI meeting on this subject?
Endnote:
In contrast to this apathy, residents in Moseley, Stirchley and Bournville turn out in good numbers- an average of 50 people – at meetings in the vicinity.
Will those who show no interest in these matters complain the loudest if a radioactive leak happened near them or if they were made aware that their health problems were caused or exacerbated by air pollution or fluoridation? Will they chase compensation, instead of addressing the roots of the problem – a political regime which gives lip service to concern about these conditions but allows the profiting industries to go ahead unchecked.