Only 11% of the population have fluoridated
water
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Plans to make water
companies add fluoride to tap water in areas where health bosses and the public
request it have been backed by the House of Lords.
The measure, included in an amendment to the Water Bill, would take decisions
on fluoridation out of the hands of the privatised utilities which now control
the water supply.
But critics claim the move would be tantamount to mass poisoning.
They fear fluoride could be linked to increased risks of cancer, hip
fractures, kidney trouble and birth defects.
The government has
previously insisted there is no evidence to support claims of health risks from
adding chemicals to drinking water.
Peers backed the move by 153 votes to 31, in a debate on the amendment on
Wednesday evening.
Water companies have had the power to do add fluoride to water supplies since
1985 but have not done so for fear of legal action from those opposed to it.
Local decisions
Under the amendment, local health authorities will indemnify water companies
if local people agree to fluoridate supplies, where it is necessary for public
health.
Fluoridation will only take place if a water authority has been asked to do
so by a strategic health authority, after consultation at local level has shown
sufficient support for it.
Last week, public health minister Melanie Johnson said there was a "strong
correlation" between fluoridation and better dental health.
She told MPs: "What we are enabling is for local communities to decide what
they want to do on this matter.
"No fluoridation scheme
will go ahead unless there has been wide-ranging consultations in which both the
proponents and the opponents of fluoridation have been encouraged to participate
and the majority of the population have indicated that they are in favour."
The move was welcomed by Andy Burnham, Labour MP for Leigh, who said: "Can I
thank you for ignoring the bluster of the flat earth society and agreeing to
bring forward an amendment that will help improve children's health in this
country."
Opposition
But Andrew Murrison, the Conservative MP for Westbury, said countries
including Canada, Finland, Cuba and parts of Germany were abandoning water
fluoridation but not seeing any change in tooth decay rates.
"Why should we be considering bucking that trend in this country and
introducing this illiberal measure?"
Large area of the east of England have naturally-occurring fluoride in their
water supplies.
Fluoride is already added to the water supplied to approximately 5 million
people in areas such as Birmingham.
Jane Jones, of the National Pure Water campaign group, has coordinated
opposition to the fluoridation of water supplies.
She says: "To medicate the whole population against their will is not the way
to deal with tooth decay."
Evidence
But the idea is backed by the British Dental Association (BDA), which
believes fluoridation would have a significant positive impact on the health of
children's teeth.
John Renshaw, of the BDA, said: "Dentists welcome this decision which has the
potential to remove the needless pain and misery of tooth decay for thousands of
people in the future.
"This simple step will give children across the country a better start in
life."
He added: "There is strong evidence that targeted fluoridation reduces tooth
decay and no evidence that fluoride at the levels that would be added to water
supplies is harmful.
"We will continue our campaign to ensure this vital measure becomes a
reality."
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