Challenging New Labour's propaganda on

water fluoridation

Spencer Fitz-Gibbon for the Green Party of England & Wales

Second edition, revised August 2003

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

UNICEF

1. On 8 September 2003, the House of Commons will vote on a law that could lead to the fluoridation of the whole UK.
2. Water companies will be legally obliged to fluoridate the water supply if the local health authority wants this. Most or all health authorities support fluoridation (unlike health authorities in most countries)
3. The authorities will be required to consult first, but the "consultation" will be meaningless because they’ve already made up their mind. Also the pro-fluoridation lobby will launch a well-resourced propaganda campaign to mislead the public into believing fluoridation will be "safe and effective". We’ve seen the sort of pro-fluoridation propaganda that health authorities put out – it always ignores all the evidence that fluoride is harmful to health, and all the evidence that fluoridation doesn’t reduce tooth decay.

1. Mass medication without consent is unethical and contrary to a European Convention on Human Rights and Medicine.
2. There is evidence from around the world which challenges the belief that fluoridation reduces tooth decay.
3. There is considerable scientific evidence that fluoride can be harmful to health even in small quantities.
4. The "fluoride" that's added to drinking water is hexafluorosilicic acid - a hazardous toxic waste product of the phosphate fertiliser industry derived from the pollution scrubber liquor from its factory chimneys. Fluorosilicates are listed under the Poisons Act 1972, and cannot be prescribed by a doctor. The "fluoride" added to drinking water is not pharmaceutical grade and has never been safety-tested for human consumption.

3. Fluoridation doesn’t necessarily reduce tooth decay

3.1 Mass studies from Canada, New Zealand and USA have shown little or no difference in levels of tooth decay between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. In New Zealand teeth have been shown to be slightly better in non-fluoridated areas. In India doctors have concluded that tooth decay increases as fluoride intake increases. Ireland is Europe’s most fluoridated country, but doesn’t have Europe’s best teeth. In England, fluoridated Gateshead has as much tooth decay as non-fluoridated Liverpool.

4. Fluoridation could be seriously harmful to health

4.1 Scientific papers from around the world have linked fluoride with problems including increases in cancer and thyroid disorders, brittle bones, problems with the immune system, irritable bowel syndrome, genetic disorders, low IQ levels in children, early onset of puberty, premature ageing, the breakdown of collagen in bone, tendon, muscle, skin, cartilage, lungs, kidney and trachea, as well as dental fluorosis, and pitting and cavity formation on the surface of tooth enamel.

5. A safe and effective way to reduce tooth decay

5.1 The Green Party wants:

1. A properly resourced strategy for reducing tooth decay, including education of children and adults about dental hygiene, the need for a healthy diet, and the effects of excessive consumption of sugar.
2. A ban on the fluoridation of drinking water.
3. A health warning on all sources of fluoride intended for human consumption.

The full TRUTH DECAY report is available from