Mr. AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has undertaken into the impact of fluoridating water supplies on the aquatic environment; and if she will make a statement. [132772]
§ Mr. MorleyA review of the effect of fluoride on a range of aquatic life was carried out for the Environment Agency when deriving a non-statutory environmental quality standard (EQS) for fluoride in water, which was published in 2000. The review drew on research carried out by a range of recognized scientific laboratories and the majority of available data indicated that effects on aquatic life from fluoride occur at concentrations between 9.0–350mg/1.
Where fluoridation schemes are in place, fluoride is added to maintain a concentration of 1.0 mg/1 in drinking water which is well below these levels. Any discharges will be further diluted upon entry to the aquatic environment through the process of collection and treatment of waste water.