HC Deb 19 June 2000 vol 352 cc49-50W
Mr. Etherington

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the research projects funded by his Department since 1990 that have investigated the causes of mottling, opacities and dental fluorosis in children and young adults; [124641]

  1. (2) when he last met representatives of the water companies in England and Wales; and what matters were discussed; [124621]
  2. (3) what plans he has to restrict or control the ingestation of fluoride, mouth washes and dental floss by (a) adults and (b) children; [124640]
  3. (4) what plans he has to amend sections 87 to 91 of the Water Industry Act 1991; and if he will make a statement; [124620]
  4. (5) if he will commission research into the incidence of hip fractures in women aged 50 to 64 years in (a) fluoridated and (b) unfluoridated areas in England and Wales. [124622]
Yvette Cooper

The Department has commissioned the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, at the University of York, to conduct a systematic review of the evidence on the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water. The review will cover studies on hip fractures, including studies undertaken in the United Kingdom. It is expected to report in July. We will review policy on fluoridation including any need for further research and advice on the use of topical fluoride in the light of the report's conclusions.

The Department has not funded any recent research projects into the causes of mottling, opacities and dental fluorosis in children and young adults, but the systematic review is covering these matters.

I met with the chief executive of Water UK on 24 May to discuss the progress of the review.

Mr. Hilary Benn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into the fluoridation of water and the intake of fluoride from sources other than water; and if he will make a statement. [124882]

Yvette Cooper

The fluoride concentration of drinking water, whether occurring naturally at levels up to the maximum permitted concentration of 1.5 milligrams per litre, or artificially supplemented to a concentration of 1 milligram per litre, principally affects dietary intake of fluoride through consumption of tapwater, and of domestically-prepared soft drinks, beverages and meals. The intake of fluoride from retail food is estimated from the UK Total Diet Study. The estimate from data gathered between 1978 and 1980 is included in Chapter 36 of Department of Health Report on Health and Social Subjects 41 "Dietary Reference Values for food energy and nutrients for the United Kingdom" (sixth impression and later revisions, 1994 onwards). Copies are available in the Library. The Food Standards Agency has recently completed a survey of fluoride levels in the 1997 Total Diet Study and will report the results in full once they have been assessed.

The Department has commissioned the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, at the University of York, to conduct a systematic review of the evidence on the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water, which is expected to report in July.

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