Water Fluoridation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 June 2012

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Ceisteanna (226, 227)

Peter Mathews

Ceist:

228 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health his plans in respect of fluoridation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28616/12]

Peter Mathews

Ceist:

229 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out an up to date study of the level of fluoride currently in food and drink here. [28617/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.

The Forum on Fluoridation advised in 2002 that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which was established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters. The Expert Body advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be safe and effective in protecting the oral health of all age groups. I have no plans to discontinue the policy of fluoridation of public water supplies, which continues to make an effective contribution to oral health in Ireland.

In 2005, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an opinion on the tolerable upper intake for fluoride from the diet. This concluded that the safe upper limit for fluoride intake from all food sources, including water, for adults is 120ìg per kilogram of body weight per day. A study by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Total Diet Study (TDS) published in 2011, shows that the average exposure of Irish consumers to fluoride from food is 9ìg per kilogram of body weight per day. This represents 7.5% of the safe upper limit of 120ìg per kilogram of body weight per day. If exposure to fluoride from drinking water is included it represents 23.9% of this value on average. The FSAI aims to start the second Irish TDS later this year. This will also include an analysis of fluoride in food.