Vol. 467 No. 3
72 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health his views on the way in which the amount of fluoride ingested by humans can be controlled; and whether it is accessible to all plants and animals through a water source in view of the fact that food provided by land can contain residues of fluoride in both plants and animals. [13147/96]
I understand fluoride occurs naturally in the environment and is, consequently, found in water and food. It is also added to public water suppies in many countries, including Ireland, as a public health measure at a level not exceeding one part per million.
Information available to my Department confirms that the amount of fluoride ingested in Ireland is not a cause for concern and epidemiological markers confirm this. I also understand that, according to the World Health Organisation, extensive reviews on foodborne fluoride from plant and animal sources show that fluoride concentrations are low and are not a cause for concern.
