Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 3

Written Answers. - Water Fluoridation.

Paudge Connolly

Question:

134 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the fluoridation forum report's recommendations on the need for guidelines and codes of practice for all involved in the water fluoridation process, and the question as to the continued use of inefficient plants, each of the 394 fluoridating public water supplies is fully compliant with current safety legislation; the timescale of the programmes required to achieve full compliance in those sanitary authorities which do not fully comply with safety legislation in respect of security, storage, handling, dosage, fail-safe flow control, calibration of equipment and testing of fluosilic acid; the total cost of achieving full compliance within each sanitary authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16379/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Responsibility for the maintenance and safety of fluoridation plants is a matter for local authorities. A research project on fluoride delivery systems is currently being undertaken. The objective of this project is to evaluate the quality and performance of the fluoridation of public water supplies. It will determine best practice methodologies appropriate to all aspects of fluoridation.

There is a comprehensive system of monitoring of fluoride levels in the water supply by local authorities and health boards. The annual report of the Environmental Protection Agency on water quality confirms that more than 99.75% of analyses of Irish water supplies are within the recommended EU limit of 1.5 part fluoride per million parts of water and 94% are within the stricter Irish limit of one part fluoride per million parts of water.

As the Deputy is aware, I established the Forum on Fluoridation to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies in Ireland. The forum's report was launched on 10 September 2002 and its main conclusion was that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure. The forum also concluded that: water fluoridation has been very effective in improving the oral health of the Irish population, especially of children, but also of adults and the elderly; and the best available and most reliable scientific evidence indicates that at the maximum permitted level of fluoride in drinking water at one part per million, human health is not adversely affected.

Dental fluorosis, a form of discolouration of the tooth enamel, is a well-recognised condition and an indicator of overall fluoride absorption, whether from natural sources, fluoridated water or from the inappropriate use of fluoride toothpaste at a young age. There is evidence that the prevalence of dental fluorosis is increasing in Ireland.

The forum consisted of people with expert knowledge spanning the areas of public health, biochemistry, dental health, bone health, food safety, environmental protection, ethics, water quality, health promotion and representatives from the consumer and environmental areas. This diversity of professional backgrounds and representation was reflected in the comprehensive way the forum conducted its work and research. Ultimately, the forum took an evidence based approach to its examination of water fluoridation.

The report of the fluoridation forum made 33 recommendations covering a broad range of topics such as research, public awareness, and policy and technical aspects of fluoridation. I have asked my Department to establish an expert body as recommended by the forum. This expert body will oversee the implementation of the wide-ranging recommendations of the forum and advise me on all aspects of fluoride going forward, including issues such as those raised by the Deputy.