Cllr Alan Dowden has tabled a motion for the next council meeting opposing fluoridation of the borough ‘s water supply. Alan wants the council to make its position absolutely clear before any attempt is made to introduce the chemical into local water supplies. Hampshire Primary Care Trust is currently planning to add fluoride to the water in Southampton, Eastleigh and Portsmouth and says it has no plans at present to extend the scheme to Test Valley. However Alan believes it essential that Test Valley makes it position clear now. His motion highlights the possible side effects of such an action and concludes “that water supplies at this moment in time should not be fluoridated.”
I have seconded his motion and fully support his stance on unacceptable mass medication based on suspect science. I look forward to the debate and hope all councillors (Lib Dem and Tory) will back this motion. The meeting is on 10 September in Romsey.
In a further development the council’s overview and scrutiny committee decided this week to call the PCT to a future meeting to explain its policy.
Dear Mr Gates
I write in support of Cllr Dowden’s and your position on water fluoridation. I have just returned from two conferences in Toronto, of the International Society for Fluoride Research and Fluoride Action Network. The conferences were attended by scientists and activists from all over the world. Professor A K Susheela of new Delhi presented her evidence on dental, skeletal and non-skeletal fluorosis. Over 60 million people are crippled by fluorosis in India and Professor Susheela is shocked that western governments should even contemplate adding fluoride to the water supply. Another key speaker was Professor Vyvyan Howard, a toxicologist from the University of Coleraine in Northern Ireland. Professor Howard has studied the effects of various toxins on the foetus and infants. He is particularly concerned about the neurotoxic effects of fluoride to which he considers foetuses and infants particularly susceptible. Dr Jennifer Luke explained her discovery that fluoride accumulates in the pineal gland and outlined possible consequences. http://www.fluoridealert.org will, I think, shortly carry videos of conference speakers. Having studied the subject for many years, I am utterly convinced that fluoridation does more harm than good. Elizabeth A McDonagh, BSc(Hons), Cert. Ed. Chair of National Pure Water Association (UK) Former college lecturer in food studies and applied science, retired.