Written answers

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Department of Health

Water Fluoridation

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the fluoridation of the public water supply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37642/12]

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the costs to the State of fluoridating the water supplies of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37654/12]

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39133/12]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1632, 1635 and 1838 together.

The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which was established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters. The Expert Body confirms that, based on the review of all previous and current international and national scientific data, the balance of evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be effective for protecting the oral health of all age groups.

The EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), published its ‘Opinion on critical review of any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride and the fluoridating agents of drinking water’ in 2011. The main conclusions of the SCHER report are that there are no known health implications from fluoridating water at levels used in the EU. Studies in Ireland and worldwide have found that water fluoridation has a significant benefit for dental health amongst both children and adults. Persons residing in fluoridated areas have better teeth with less disease than those residing in non-fluoridated areas. For example in the last all- Ireland survey, there was in the order of 40% fewer cavities in children living in fluoridated areas.

Hydrofluosilicic acid (HFSA) is the chemical used in the fluoridation of public water supplies in Ireland. It goes through a purification process to conform to tightly controlled specifications. The spend for fluoridation nationally in 2011 was €3,865,406, broken down as follows:

Operational costs €2,392,266, HSFA costs €1,387,561, Capital costs €85,579.

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