Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 1

Written Answers. - Water Quality.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

115 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the provision made for periodic public health surveys to be undertaken in areas where fluoridised water is provided; the way in which these relate to the provisions of the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act, 1960; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21928/99]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

116 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the monitoring, if any, undertaken by his Department of the total fluoride load on members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21929/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together.

The safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation as a public health measure has been evaluated frequently by the World Health Organisation and other reputable authorities, such as the Health Research Council of the United States, and concerns about adverse effects other than dental fluorosis have not been substantiated.

The 1991 survey of adult dental health found no significant difference in regard to general health status between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. Since 1960 surveys on oral health have been carried out periodically by health boards to monitor changes in oral health.

Unless an authoritative body in this country or internationally indicates that there appears to be an issue of public health relating to the use of fluoride which should be investigated and sets priorities for research further research would be difficult to justify.

It has long been recognised that where public water supplies are fluoridated at optimum level a small proportion of the population may be affected by a mild form of fluorosis, evident as diffuse white lines and patches, which is not aesthetically damaging or harmful in any respect and which usually cannot be seen by the untrained eye. The surveys carried out in this country show the prevalence of fluorosis in Irish school children to be not of any public health significance.

A report dated October 1999 on water fluoridation and public health prepared by the faculty of public health medicine of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is strongly supportive of the continuation of current water fluoridation policies.