Council backs lower fluoridation level

BY TASHA BLACK

Kapiti councillors have voted to drop the level of fluoride added to drinking water in Raumati, Paraparaumu and Waikanae from 1 milligram per litre to 0.7mg.

Thursday's Kapiti Coast District Council meeting kicked off with anti-fluoride lobbyists outlining their concerns about mass medication of the public and the lack of choice available to residents. About 10 protesters held up signs at the back of the council chambers, saying "You don't have my consent".

Fluoride Action Network spokeswoman Mary Byrne said fluoride levels were too high, especially for infants.

Paediatric dentist Erin Mahoney, discussing the benefits of fluoride, said some children who "can't afford toothbrushes and toothpaste" would be helped by fluoridated water.

Ignoring snide remarks from the anti-fluoride group, Dr Mahoney, president of the New Zealand branch of Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry, delivered a presentation including graphic slides of child tooth decay.

Mayor Jenny Rowan questioned her about the impact a sugary diet plays in tooth decay.

Dr Mahoney agreed it was a contributing factor but stood by her stance that fluoridated water was a significant benefit, particularly in impoverished communities.

When asked about the issue of fluorosis she said, "I simply do not see it. I do see something much worse. I see dental decay."

She advised her dental patients to drink fluoridated water, even if they had to drop fluoride tablets in their water.

The Ministry of Health recommends fluoride levels should be in the range of 0.7 to 1mg. The dosage target at Waikanae Water Treatment Plant is 1mg and in 2009/10 the average concentration was 0.97mg, fluctuating from 0.7 to 1.29mg, due to the complexity of the process.

Regional Leader of Public Health Services medical officer Dr Stephen Palmer explained a staff report recommending dropping the level only to 0.8mg to ensure it did not drop below MoH's recommendation of 0.7mg.

The report was based on the European Commission Report which reviewed new evidence on the health effects of fluoridated water.

Mr Palmer said the report showed no evidence water fluoridation between 0.8mg and 1.2mg leads to or increases skeletal fluorosis, bone cancer, child neurodevelopment issues, decreased IQ levels, adverse thyroid effects or reproductive issues.

A Food Standards Australia New Zealand assessment found that infant formula made up of fluoridated water at 0.6mg to 1mg could result in dietary intakes at or above the upper limit of 0.7mg for zero to six-month-olds.

Councillor Peter Daniel suggested if people really needed that much fluoride "mother nature would have made that decision" and it would be in a mother's milk.

Mr Daniel lost a resolution to do away with fluoridated water.

A motion to drop the fluoride level to 0.7mg passed seven to four, as did a motion not to supply potable non-fluoridated water in the vicinity of the Waikanae Water Treatment Plant.

Instead councillor Tony Jack moved that spring-loaded taps be put in place "as soon as possible" near the information centre and library at Otaki, and at St Peter's Hall in Paekakariki so people could access those towns' non-fluoridated water.

The council will liaise with health groups to provide information to families about the possible effects of fluoride on babies and young children and post information on the council website.

- Kapiti Observer