Australia - Letter | I've still got my concerns with the fluoride vote

RE: "Can group give answers?", letter, February 6.

I agree with Marjorie Armstrong, we elected our local Oberon Council, and should continue to give it our utmost support.

However, I dispute that it was a democratic decision to go ahead with the fluoridation of our water supply.

There have been some concerns over the way the survey was conducted and also the fact that many of the councillors live out of town and are not affected by their own decisions.

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While I believe the councillors believed they acted in the best interests of the Oberon people, the fact that they themselves were not affected means they should have abstained from voting on the issue.

Now fluoride is recognised as a toxic substance, and I have read in a health journal, just last week, that it inhibits the recovery of elderly cancer patients.

We are an ageing population, many of us succumbing to some type of cancer, and trying to lead a healthy lifestyle, and I believe we are betrayed by the very water we drink.

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Also, from the pages of the Reader's Digest, fluoride in tap water inhibits the absorption of magnesium and other essential elements.

Magnesium deficiency causes pregnancy problems, also can cause cramps, stress, inflamed joints, kidney and liver problems, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Also, children have access to fluoride in various products such as toothpaste, and don't need it to be added to tap water.

I believe fluoridation is a mistake and hope it is not too late for Oberon Council to reverse its decision.

Mike O'Brien, Oberon