Written question asked by Earl Baldwin of Bewdley (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Warner (Labour) on Friday, 24 March 2006.

Fluoride

Question: On which scientific studies they base their statement in the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 2 February (WA 68–9) that urinary fluoride excretion over 24 hours is largely determined by fluoride intake in the previous few days, rather than by a lifetime’s accumulation.

Answer: A number of studies of the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of fluoride, which have been published in the scientific literature, are summarised in the Toxicological Profile for Fluorides, Hydrogen Fluoride, and Fluorine published in September 2003 by the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp11.html. This review notes that,"““Urine and blood samples can be analyzed to find out if you have been exposed to fluorides . . . This will show if a person has been exposed recently to higher-than-normal levels of fluorides . . . The test must be performed soon after exposure because fluoride that is not stored in the bones leaves the body within a few days.””"

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4509; 680 c88WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Health: Fluoridated Water
Thursday, 2 February 2006
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Drinking water Research Fluoride Body fluids
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk