Campaign Against Fluoridating Hull's Water Supply

A campaign has been set up against plans to fluoridate Hull's water supply.

The local authority is considering the move to help reduce the number of children in the city with tooth decay.

But an online petition has now been launched with hundreds of people opposing the idea.

Paddy Holdsworth is among those who're against water fluoridation schemes. He told Viking FM:

"It's compulsory medication, what other thing would they consider making everyone in the community drink just so that a few children can have some fluoride in their mouths. They have no idea how much water people are consuming or how susceptible individuals are to fluoride poisoning.

"Virtually no other countries in the world are putting fluoride in the water supply infact there are cities all over the world in those countries where there is fluoride that are taking it out. It disrupts enzymes in the body, it disrupts the hormones system, it can attack the thyroid, it's been linked to hundreds of detrimental things.

"Most people brush their teeth and have the option of using a fluoride toothpaste so the excuse is that it's being aimed at families where that's not being passed on to the kids but those sort of communities are most disadvantaged by putting fluoride into the water supply because they could have nutritional deficiencies which make you far more susceptible to poisoning from fluoride."

In a statement, Hull City Council say the scheme has already proven to be a success in other parts of the country and say they'll be submitting their plans to the city's Health and Wellbeing Board next month.

Julia Weldon, Director of Public Health at Hull City Council, told Viking FM:

“We are working alongside Public Health England, our local dentists, schools and our community dental health providers to ensure that we make a difference to this important area of public health.

“An oral health plan will be presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board in March and this will consider fluoridation, alongside a number of other approaches including promoting good dental hygiene and the importance of a healthy diet low in sugar.

"In March 2014, a PHE report found that children in local authorities with water fluoridation schemes have less tooth decay than those in local authorities without such schemes."

An East Riding Council spokesperson said:

"Fluoridation was last considered by East Riding of Yorkshire Council between 2003 and 2005 and no decision was reached. The Council has not been formally approached by Hull City Council about fluoridation. We are concerned about the oral health of our residents and commission programmes for dental health and healthy eating.

"Should the Council wish to consider whether water fluoridation should be approved in future it would take into account evidence of potential benefits, potential harm and views of residents."

• *