Fluoridation

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33128, 19 January 1973, Page 8

Fluoridation

Sir.—lt is most unfortunate that anti-fluoridationists always resort to scare tactics. I “Vulcan” does this in the [name of caution. His examples are ridiculous when discussing fluoridation. Nowhere in the world does phenacetin or tetracylin occur naturally in any com-.

munity water supply. Yet even the water “Vulcan” drinks contains fluoride, but only 0.15 parts per million. The addition of fluoride would raise this level to the optimum of one part per million. In England, Unitqd States and Russian communities have been using for generations. water supplies containing fluoride at optimum levels and above. Yet despite detailed and thorough investigations on people in these communities no harmful effects to health have been shown where the fluoride content has been at the optimum level. Sir, thinking citizens will not be impressed by scare tactics of writers hiding behind nom-de-plumes. —Yours, etc., J. W. ASHBY. January 18, 1973.

Sir, —One wonders how permissive citizens can be to fluoridate their entire water supply — and pay what for it? Fluoride is readily and cheaply available to the Health Department in tablet form for the comparative few who consider it their right: and beneficial. Surely we are less ignorant about general nutrition since it was first accepted in New Zealand, where fluoride grows abundantly in green vegetables. It is one of many natural trace elements needed for good teeth. As we move house frequently in our small land is it of national interest. And so we wonder how’ much the scheme costs Auckland, for example.—Yours, etc., D. M. JESSEP. Nelson, January 17, 1973.

Sir, —I too am amazed to think that there should be opposition to a referendum on fluoridation, which is a basic right in a democratic country. I, like “Vulcan” am very distrustful of the adverse reaction that might result from mass medication with substances which could in the long run be detrimental to the complicated functions of each individual bodily system. My experience has been that members of my family react adversely to many medications, so I am genuinely alarmed at the prospect of any mass medication. It is heartening to know that citizens will have the opportunity to express [their opinions through a referendum. —Yours, etc., RELIEVED. January 18, 1973.