25 March 2008 - Green Euro-MP Dr Caroline Lucas has door stopped health staff at the Strategic Health Authority in Southampton demanding that plans to put fluoride in drinking water be dropped.

In an open letter to health chiefs, Dr Lucas said:

“I am writing for two reasons. Firstly, to express my concern at the proposal currently being considered to fluoridate the drinking water in Southampton, and possibly elsewhere in Hampshire.

“And secondly, to ask what levels of exposure are there in the current Southampton population? If this is not known, what steps are being taken to find out?

“Water fluoridation has simply not been proven to be effective for teeth, particularly when the bad effects of dental fluorosis are taken into account.

“Furthermore, many studies have indicated links between water fluoridation and serious ill health effects, including thyroid problems, skeletal fluorosis, bone cancers and mental problems.

“Finally, putting fluoride in our water amounts to mass medication of the population.  This directly contravenes the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, and is contrary to medical ethics. We are seeking a legal opinion on its further contravention of the Medicines Directive.”

Dr Lucas continued: “The concern over current levels of exposure in the population is a serious one, as it is very important to know the total dose that people will be receiving if water fluoridation were to be administered.  The World Health Organisation advises that Public Health Administrators should be aware of this before introducing any additional fluoride programme.”

Caroline Lucas is now awaiting a response to her concerns.

ENDS

CONTACTS

Melissa Freeman, Media Officer to Caroline Lucas MEP - 020 7407 9935 / 07950 382149

John Spottiswoode, South West Hants Green Party - 023 80 789230 / 07796 056763

Matthew Myatt, South West Hants Green Party - 07716 700040