Written question asked by Earl Baldwin of Bewdley (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Darzi of Denham (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 November 2007.

Fluoridation

Question: Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 1 October (WA 145–6), why they now believe that the findings of the United States National Research Council (NRC) in March 2006 are ““not directly applicable”” to water fluoridation in the United Kingdom because of the differing concentrations of fluoride involved, when as indicated by the Written Answer by Lord Warner on 24 July 2006 (WA 240) they had delayed their own research programme in order to take account of the NRC's findings in the knowledge that the council were addressing fluoridation at the higher concentration of 4 parts per million.

Answer: The main recommendation of the National Research Council's (NRC) committee on fluoride in drinking water that the Environmental Protection Agency's maximum fluoride level of 4 parts per million (ppm) should be lowered is not relevant to the United Kingdom where the maximum concentration permitted is 1.5 ppm. The findings of the NRC report are consistent with our view that water is safe and healthy at the levels used for water fluoridation. However, the committee's report includes a wide-ranging review of the effects of fluoride with a number of recommendations for further research, which are informing the development of our research programme. While we remain of the view that the only risk to infants and young children from their higher exposure to fluoride is the cosmetic effects of dental fluorosis, we will ensure that research and monitoring of the effects of water fluoridation on systematic health is sensitive to any unique effects on this age group.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 10; 696 c78-9WA
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Fluoridation
Monday, 1 October 2007
Written questions
House of Lords; Fluoridation
Monday, 1 October 2007
Written questions
House of Lords; Fluoridation
Monday, 1 October 2007
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Children Health hazards Drinking water Fluoride Dental health
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk