Locals 'will not drink tap water' amid possible plans to add fluoride to supply

CornwallLive readers are unhappy after the idea of adding fluoride to the Duchy's drinking water was raised. The contentious issue divided a health committee that convened last week to deliberate on initiating the process of introducing the chemical compound into the water system.

In England and Wales, less than ten per cent of the population has fluoride added to their water. However, Cornwall Council deems it necessary now to combat the escalating tooth decay rates among Cornwall's children, especially those in deprived areas, due to the county's lack of NHS dentists.

The council's health and adult social care overview and scrutiny committee was asked to back a motion passed by the full council in April for South West Water to commence the fluoridation of the water supply. Councillors debated whether to support the council leader, Linda Taylor, in writing to Wes Streeting, the secretary of state for health, to kickstart a consultation process with the aim of initiating the fluoridation of Cornwall's water supply.

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In August, findings released by America's National Toxicology Program suggested the possibility of a link between high levels of fluoride exposure in water—above 1.5 milligrams per litre—and decreased IQ in children. Despite these concerns, the debate continues as experts highlight the dearth of robust research on this issue.

Readers such as, KevinRidsdale believes: "Gut feeling tells me adding anything to the water is a bad idea. Surely encouraging better oral hygiene using a toothbrush and toothpaste twice a day would be better for everyone."

Dogmare asks: "Can someone point me to some reports that says fluoride is safe please?"

CornishSeagull writes: "I’m no expert but surely there would be a great expense to add fluoride to the County’s fresh water supply? The vast majority of tap water is used for washing/showering, car washing, watering gardens, filling hot tubs and swimming pools, with a tiny percentage entering the body through drinking or teeth brushing? Therefore, would the expense justify the alleged public health benefits? Parents should buy quality toothpaste and brushes and insist that their offspring use them twice a day."

Jpenberthy disagrees: "As you say, you are no expert! Worldwide experts maintain that adding Fluoride to public water supplies far outweighs dental disease costs."

Falmouth62 thinks: "This will in no way resolve the NHS dentistry crisis."

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Dis1954 adds: "There is no evidence that it leads to health and IQ problems, not something that would bother the average Cornish child anyway. A bunch of councillors, none of which, as I understand it, have a scientific background, say yea or nay to a method of improving children's teeth when the real reason is that it is a lack of dentists, so fluoride added means no one will address the dentistry situation anytime soon."

RoySampson questions: "Who said fluoride protects teeth, where's the evidence, have they taken the micro balls of plastic out of tooth paste yet, not that it matters as we clean our teeth with plastic brushes so swallow plastic over the years which is why its being found in bodies."

Over on our Facebook page, T Sam S Clarke simply states: "How about... Opening NHS dentists?"

Georgie Rider asks: "Where is the public consultation on this? Implementation of this by stealth is tantamount to non-informed consent. No health professional would be allowed to do this to a patient without informed consent."

While Alishea Buck believes: "Absolutely disgusting that Cornwall Council think it is acceptable to add a toxic chemical to our water supply without our 'informed consent'. There is a reason toothpastes including fluoride say do not swallow. We already know South West Water have no concern for either our health or the environment. However as we pay the council to work on our behalf this should never have been allowed."

Alfie Hillson adds: "I will no longer drink tap water if this is the case. So goodbye SWW!"

So would you be happy with fluoride being added to the water? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.