Written Answers. - Water Fluoridation.
Enda Kenny
Question:
343
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the studies which have taken place regarding fluoridation in schoolchildren; the impact on reducing dental cavities; if he has satisfied himself with the effectiveness thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29047/01]
Enda Kenny
Question:
347
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the studies which compare the dental health of children up to 12 years of age who live in fluoridated areas as against those who do not; the results of such studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29051/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 347 together.
In 1984, my Department sponsored a national survey of children's dental health. The survey was conducted by the Oral Health Services Research Centre in Cork and showed that residents of fluoridated communities had significantly lower levels of dental caries than residents of non-fluoridated communities. These lower levels were, in the main, attributable to the fluoridation of water. During the 1990s, health boards, in conjunction with the Oral Health Services Research Centre, have undertaken local studies of the effects of fluoridation. These show diminished levels of dental decay, particularly marked in lifetime residents of fluoridated areas.
A national survey of children's dental health is currently under way in health boards. A similar survey is taking place simultaneously in Northern Ireland which is non-fluoridated. The results of this survey will yield important information regarding water fluoridation. The survey is expected to be completed in April 2002.
Enda Kenny
Question:
344
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if his attention has been drawn to a growing body of opinion that fluoridation of water schemes and systems is an intrusion on human rights; his views on people having no choice in the matter; and the alternatives available.
[29048/01]
Enda Kenny
Question:
348
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the extent of fluoride available in toothpastes on the market; his views on whether proper use of these pastes, together with the extent of fluoride available in drinking water, constitutes an excessive amount of fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29052/01]
Enda Kenny
Question:
349
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
his views on the extent of fluoridation in water systems; the guidelines that are acceptable in these cases; if similar guidelines apply in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29053/01]
Enda Kenny
Question:
350
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
his views on whether fluoride is regarded as a toxic agent; if he can provide comparative figures for the toxicity of lead and arsenic; his further views on the level of scientific evidence which demonstrates the benefit to public health of fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29054/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 348 to 350, inclusive, together.
The fluoridation of public piped water supplies is subject to the provisions of the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act, 1960, and various regulations made under the Act. The regulations provide that the amount of fluorine which may be added to a water supply shall contain not more than one part of fluorine per million parts of water and not less than eight tenths of a part of fluorine per million parts of water. The levels of heavy metals in drinking water are monitored through EU drinking water directives that are given effect in Irish law by statutory regulation. The regulation specifies that the levels of fluoride in drinking water should not exceed 1 mg of fluoride per litre of water. The levels for lead and arsenic are 0.01 mg per litre and 0.01 mg per litre respectively. I understand that the general level of fluoride in fluoride toothpastes is between 1,000 and 1,500 parts per million.
The Eastern Regional Health Authority, on behalf of the Department of Health and Children and the eight regional health boards, has awarded a contract jointly to Trinity College, Dublin, and University College, Cork, to advise health boards on an up-to-date status report on all aspects relating to fluoride use including water fluoridation and fluoride intake in the Irish population. The status report is due late next year. In addition, I established a forum on fluoridation in May 2000. The forum is comprised largely of persons with expert knowledge spanning the areas of public health, dental health, food safety, environmental protection, ethics, water quality, health promotion and representatives from the consumer and environmental areas. It held its first meeting in September 2000.
The terms of reference of the forum are as follows: to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies and the programme of research being undertaken on behalf of health boards in the area; to report to the Minister.
The forum invited the public to forward their views on the issues under consideration and received in excess of 1,000 submissions, each of which has been examined individually. I understand from the chairman of the forum that its report will be available to me in December 2001 and I expect that it will deal comprehensively with the issues raised by the Deputy.
Enda Kenny
Question:
345
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the extent of purchase of hydrofluorosilicic acid here for each of the past five years; the country or place of purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29049/01]
In each of the past two years 720,000 gallons of hydrofluorosilicic acid were sourced from Spain. The same volume was sourced from Holland in each of the three years prior to this.
Enda Kenny
Question:
346
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the comparative level of fluoridation here as against other countries of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29050/01]
The following European Union countries use water fluoridation: Ireland, the United Kingdom and Spain.
In Europe the most common method for the distribution of fluoride to the population is through fluoridated salt. European Union countries that currently have fluoridated salt on the market include Germany, France, Belgium and Austria.
In Ireland, regulations made under the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act, 1960, provide that the amount of fluorine that may be added to a water supply shall contain not more than one part of fluorine per million parts of water and not less than eight tenths of a part of fluorine per million parts of water. These parameters are lower than the limit of 1.5 parts of fluorine per million parts of water specified in EU drinking water directives.
Question No. 347 answered with Question No. 343.
Questions Nos. 348 to 350, inclusive, answered with Question No. 344.
