§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent fluoride has been scientifically tested for its toxic contents; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellIn the form of sodium fluoride, fluoride is acutely toxic to mammals when ingested at a level greater than 42 mgms per kilogram of bodyweight. Members of the public are not likely to be exposed to fluoride at this level.
130WIn water supplies where fluoride is added, the concentration of fluoride is limited to 1 mg./1. In the report in 1976 of the Royal College of Physicians on fluoride teeth and health, over 250 references in the scientific and medical literature were reviewed and conclusions reached that there is no evidence that the consumption of water containing approximately 1 mg/1 of fluoride in a temperate climate is associated with any harmful effect irrespective of the hardness of the water, and that fluoridation of water has any harmful environmental effect.
Fluoride compounds are emitted to the atmosphere from certain industrial processes, but experience in general shows that these do not cause adverse health effects on people living in the vicinity of the industries concerned.
In the past, fluorosis in cattle has been noted around aluminium smelters, due to ingestion of herbage containing deposited fluorides. However introduction of fluoride removal technologies has reduced emissions from these sources to such an extent that the reported incidence of fluorosis in cattle is now of negligible proportions.