Cumbrians Against Fluoridation - campaigning for fluoride-free water in West Cumbria

Fluoride Newsletter - March 2007

Postcard campaign

Sorry about the late notice but we have just arranged a public launch of the postcard campaign: Tuesday 27th March, 10-12am, Cockermouth Main Street (Outside United Reformed Church by Cockermouth Library.) If you can be there we would appreciate some support. Details below.

If you can't attend but would like cards then do let us know and we will post them out to you. (7 cards for a 1st class stamp.) We have been getting cards signed then sending 7 together to the DoH in an envelope.

Some postcards have already been sent. Predictably the response from the DoH has been to offer platitudes of reassurance and avoid honestly answering the questions. However they have admitted they do (on enquiry!) advise parents to breastfeed or failing that to buy ready mixed formula (at 3 times the price of powdered.) So in effect they are suggesting parents avoid mixing baby formula with fluoridated water but aren't prepared to publicise that information to parents in affected areas.

Reverse Osmosis water filters

For those people thinking about alternatives to fluoridated water e.g. reverse osmosis units, the following advice taken from the internet is worth reading:

Reverse osmosis systems / Reverse osmosis (RO) filtration systems remove virtually all dissolved solids, soften the water and produce a waste stream equivalent to 20-30% of the incoming flow. There is also a substantial reduction in pressure through the RO unit.

RO may have applications within the home if the consumer is using water for specialist purposes such as photographic processing or hydroponic culture. RO treated water should not be used for potable purposes.

Because of the correlation between cardiovascular disease and consumption of naturally soft water the Department of Health has advised that consumption of artificially softened water should be avoided. Consumers should also be aware that installation of RO could increase water bills by up to one third because of the waste stream.

The Water Fittings Regulations require that consumers give notice to their water company of the intention to install a RO system.

Advice to parents

Also copied below is an example of the confusing advice given to parents on this subject. This is copied from the 'impartial' National Fluoride Information website , funded by the DoH to promote fluoridation. Apparently its okay to suck (and presumably swallow) but not to swallow. Even that contrasts with the States where parents are advised to have the child spit out the paste and treat as poison if it is swallowed.

• What happens if toothpaste is swallowed?
  Toothpaste is not meant to be swallowed and if children under seven years of age swallow too much fluoride whilst their adult teeth are forming, there is a small risk that these teeth may develop fluorosis - a white or brown stain that forms inside the tooth. Therefore it is important that parents supervise young children brushing their teeth. Use only a small pea sized amount or a small smear of toothpaste and keep toothpastes out of reach of small children.
• What can I do if my child will not have his/her teeth brushed?
  Put a small pea sized amount/ smear of toothpaste on your finger and either smear it around the teeth or let him/her suck it.

---