Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:100 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children if an optimal level of fluoride intake has been determined by his Department. [22757/00]
Written Answers. - Water Fluoridation.
The World Health Organisation advises that fluoride level in water is a reasonable surrogate for fluoride exposure in a population. The recommended level for temperate climates like Ireland is 0.8 to 1.00 part per million. A programme of research is being undertaken to establish guidelines on all aspects of fluoride use in Ireland.
Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:101 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is evidence that the present levels of fluoridation of drinking water for human consumption may cause crippling skeletal fluorosis in twenty years, if unchecked, for about 1% of the current population. [22758/00]
I am not aware of any credible evidence that fluoridation of drinking water will lead to crippling skeletal fluorosis. The forum on fluoridation is reviewing the fluoridation of public water supplies and will consider allegations of adverse health effects as part of this review.
Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:102 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason Ireland has failed to follow other European countries in banning the fluoridation of drinking water for human consumption. [22759/00]
The following European countries use water fluoridation – Irish Republic, United Kingdom, Spain and Switzerland.
In Europe the most common method for the distribution of fluoride to the population is through fluoridated salt. European countries which currently have fluoridated salt on the market include Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
I have recently established a forum on fluoridation. 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.
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 and to report and to make recommendations to the Minister for Health and Children.
The forum is also required to seek submissions from the public.
Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:103 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost of fluoridating the water supplies in the years 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. [22760/00]
The fluoridation of public piped water supplies is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. I have asked the chief executive officer of each health board for the annual costs of the fluori dation programme in their areas since 1995. When this information is available to me I will send a written response to the Deputy.