§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence his Department has of the cumulative properties of fluoride in the body.
§ Sir George YoungThere is evidence that fluoride accumulates in the body, largely in the skeleton. I am advised that no ill effects occur or need to be anticipated with intakes from diet and public water supply at the levels prevalent in this country.
§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the total deaths from heart disease in the area of Birmingham covered by fluoridation in each of the years since 1964, expressed as a number per 100,000 population.
§ Sir George YoungThe information is not available in the form requested. I will write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department has kept systematic records of the incidence of mottling of the teeth in areas where the drinking water has been artificially fluoridated; and if so, if he will make such records publicly available.
§ Sir George YoungNo records are kept centrally on the mottling of teeth. Mottling can be due to a large number of factors, of which fluoridation may be one. I am advised that a water fluoridation level of one part per million is not a significant cause of mottling of teeth.
§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the maximum dose of fluoride from any source that a normal person can ingest with complete safety to health.
§ Sir George YoungI am advised that there is no sound evidence of danger to health from ingesting fluoride at any level likely to be experienced in this county from diet and water. No maximum dose has been defined. The threshold of side effects of fluoride used in high dose and for extensive periods in the treatment of certain medical conditions suggests that there is a large margin of safety in relation to maximum amounts likely to be ingested from diet and drinking water.