HL Deb 09 March 1999 vol 598 c21WA
Earl Baldwin of Bewdley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hayman of 26 January (WA 144) which cited studies from the 1940s and 1950s in support of an "optimal" 1 part per million for fluoridating the water supply, whether the greatly increased exposure to fluorides from all sources in the intervening years, highlighted in the Findings and Conclusions section of Review of Fluoride: Benefits and Risks (Department of Health and Human Services, USA, 1991) referred to in the Written Answer by the Baroness Hayman of 8 February (WA 2), might give grounds for (a) close monitoring of current individual fluoride intakes; and (b) reconsideration of the figure of 1ppm. [HL1309]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman)

The cited review points to a significant expansion in the range of sources of fluoride exposure in the United States, and in particular in the availability of dental products and dietary supplements containing fluoride. It does not suggest that the intake of fluoride from food and from drinking-water has increased significantly in populations whose drinking water contains fluoride at 1 part per million. Systemic fluoride supplements may not be prescribed without reference to the fluoride content of the water supply, and are not advised when the water contains more than 0.7 parts per million. Correct use of fluoride toothpastes does not significantly increase systematic exposure to fluoride.

Recently estimates of dietary intakes of fluoride in the United Kingdom will be available shortly from the 1997 Total Diet Study. We are also planning for the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of 19 to 64 year-olds, which is to be conducted over the next two years, to include measurement of urinary fluoride. If these studies or any other research findings were to show a significant increase in fluoride intakes, we would consider whether people living in fluoridated areas should be advised that they did not need to use dental products like fluoride drops and tablets. We would also consider whether the designation of 1 ppm as the optimal level of water fluoridation should be reviewed.