§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what research has been carried out by the Medical Research Council into the impact of fluoride on(a) the bone structure of children and adults, (b) the immune system and (c) the incidence of hip fractures. [23737]
§ Mr. HoramThe Medical Research Council is not currently funding any research in these areas.
However, in 1990, scientists at the MRC environmental epidemiology unit in Southampton published findings snowing that water fluoridation up to levels of around 1 mg/litre was unlikely to reduce hip fracture incidence. Also, in December 1993, the MRC set up an ad hoc working group to review the evidence regarding the possible effects of fluoridation of public water supply on the incidence of osteoporosis and to suggest guidelines for the formulation of scientific strategy in this field. The working group highlighted the need to establish accurate estimates of total fluoride intake in any future studies.
The MRC is willing to consider high quality research proposals in these areas, in competition with those in other fields.