IFIN #322: Irish legislator calls for halt to fluoridation.

July 14, 2001.

Dear All,

Things are really heating up in Ireland with the effort to reverse the state's mandatory fluoridation law. A recent article in the Irish Independent ( "Tapping into the Fury over Fluoride") summarized things this way: "A concerted countrywide campaign is now under way demanding a stop to the mass medication of the public with fluoride in the water supply. Eight local authorities - Dublin Corporation, Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Kildare, Clare and Kerry, have publicly stated their opposition to fluoridation or asked the Government that they be allowed decide for themselves if they want it in their area. Under the 1960 Health Act, they are prevented from doing this." See more details on the home page on our web site ( Pressure Mounts for Ban on Fluoridation in Ireland). Meanwhile, the Longford Leader (Friday July 13, 2001) reports that another legislator there is calling for a ban on fluoridation. Thanks to Carol Kopf and Jeff Green for forwarding this piece. Sorry for any duplication. Paul Connett.

Fine Gael Councillor calls for an immediate ban on water fluoridation

From Carol Kopf and the Longford Leader:

Nolan calls for immediate ban on water fluoridation

Cllr Peggy Nolan wants an immediate ban on the fluoridation of drinking water in Ireland. She states that we shouldn't have to wait until the forum on fluoridation concludes in September.

"At present Ireland stands alone in Europe as the only country to insist under law that drinking water contains fluoride," she points out. "Seventy three per cent of Irish drinking water contains the drug, which is added to prevent dental decay. Most other countries have rejected the practice including most western governments and the largest Union of Scientists in the American Environmental Protection Agency claiming it is linked to cancer, irritable bowl syndrome, hip fractures and thyroid disorders. There is also a link to lower I.Q. levels in children. Studies on the blood levels of 150,000 children under seven found that those living in fluoridated areas were at greater risk of having lead in their blood higher than the acceptable level.

Although it is widely believed that the fluoride added to drinking water is a natural mineral, the agent used in Irish water is a highly corrosive acid, a waste component of the Dutch and Finnish Fertiliser industries, Cllr Nolan claims.

"It is very toxic and contains trace amounts of lead, arsenic, chromium and uranium. When this enters the body only some excretes and the rest is left to accumulate in bones, glands and other tissues.

"I am deeply concerned that this entire country is being medicated against their will. Under E.U. legislation everyone has a right to bodily integrity and what this government is doing is clearly unethical," the Fine Gael councillor continued.

"Bottle fed babies in Ireland are receiving unsafe levels of this drug in their feed. If we use the British Medical Association Safety limits, new born babies who eat formula made with tap water are receiving three times the safe dose of fluoride.

"The Department of Health is determined to proceed with its policy of water fluoridation. It is my belief that the policy should be "If in doubt, cut it out".