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Flouridated Drinking Water (ARTICLE) SUPPORT THE NATIONAL PURE WATER CAMPAIGN: The UK Government's current plans to fluoridate our drinking water supplies move inexorably forward and closer to the point when there will be no choice. The House of Lords has already given a majority vote that water companies must fluoridate when asked (it's in the current Water Bill). The House of Commons will be voting on this Bill on 8th September, 2003. The fact that it is illegal and contravenes human rights (as to what an individual decides to put in his or her body) doesn't seem to concern many politicians. Media articles tend to get caught up in the pseudo-science of the fluoride promoters. Their blatant inaccurate propaganda is moved down to all the conventional health providers. Soon the Government will be working us, the public - to get us on board. When that is achieved (and if the fluoridation section of the Water Bill gets the MPs' vote on 8th September) then under the terms of the Bill (when it becomes an Act of Parliament), the Health Authorities will have the power to compel the local Water Companies across the UK to fluoridate public water supplies. However, the Government needs the backup part of the scheme in place too: they need to obtain a majority approval via public consultation. So, the Government is still putting the blocks in the wall - they need MPs to vote for fluoridation and then they will propagandise the public to approve fluoridation plans through local consultation. Then it could be full steam ahead to dump toxic waste products (fluorosilicates) in our drinking water that saves the polluting industries from dealing properly with their waste. The Government (as represented by the Department of Health) states that fluoridation schemes will not go ahead without the support of the majority of the local population. Well, what about the minority? What will they decide is the percentage threshold that will mean that the local population will be forceably treated? (It can't be called "medicated" since fluoride is a poison). Many people think that the UK is already fluoridated - not true - only 10% of the UK eg West Cumbria, the West Midlands, the North East. Mainland Europe doesn't fluoridate, but some countries such as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand still do. Many people think that fluoridated toothpaste is good for dental health: at least you can get to a health food store for some unfluoridated brands. But if public water supplies are fluoridated, there will be no choice. The main health problem is that all of us are ingesting TOO MUCH fluoride from all sources: no-one knows how much fluoride we are already ingesting and exposures must be minimised. We are exposed to fluorides from a range of sources: eg environmental pollutants in the air, in certain foods and beverages (eg fish, tea), conventional dental products, eg toothpaste, drops, tablets, gels and some medications etc. If our drinking water supplies are fluoridated as well, the burden on our bodies will increase. It's worth remembering that we retain about half of all the fluorides to which we are exposed. The rest is stored, mainly in bones, which become more dense, but more brittle. Other organs, such as the thyroid gland are also seriously affected.
FACT:- The fluoride to be used is a "Part II Poison" [*1]
It has been repeatedly refused designation as a medicinal substance
by the UK's Medicines Control Agency Lobby your MP, your Strategic Health Authority and Primary Care Trust. Let them know that we do not want enforced treatment with a poisonous waste substance. Local libraries will have all the contact details for all official bodies and for political representatives. Copy your letter to local and regional newspapers. If you belong to any hobby or social group etc let the members know about what the Government is planning to do to us. Remember to let your Water Company know that you do not want fluoride in the water - their address should be on your bills. Perhaps add in another person to whom to write, such as Melanie Johnson MP - she's the Minister for Public Health at the Department of Health, 79 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AA. There is an All Party Parliamentary Group Against Fluoridation - ask your MP in your letter if s/he belongs to it already and if not, that he/she considers joining this group. There is an EDM (Early Day Motion No1258) against water fluoridation. Ask your MP to sign it too. Since this is a European Human Rights issue, also let your MEP know your opinion and ask what s/he can do about the situation of protecting human rights. And then when you've written your letters, please spread the word! Curious for more information? Check out the National Pure Water Association (NPWA)'s excellent website to keep up to date, it's www.npwa.freeserve.co.uk Read the science and the medical problems linked to fluoride (eg dental fluorosis, which is visible damage to teeth requiring expensive veneers to hide it. Dental fluorosis is just the outward sign of deeper internal damage. They welcome new members to join and stay in touch in order to campaign effectively. Contact Jane Jones, the Campaign Director on 01226 360909. They also are very happy to talk at public meetings/lectures on the dangers of fluoridation. Incidentally the NPWA was founded in 1960 and hasn't stopped its efforts because successive Governments in the UK have been relentless in their pressure to fluoridate. Without the dedication of the NPWA campaigners and many individuals working tirelessly, much more of the UK would already be fluoridated. The Government has stated publicly that it plans to target inner city areas as a priority - they have mentioned London and Manchester for starters. Statistically, such areas tend to have large concentrations of disadvantaged people who could be more susceptible to the effects of fluoride - such as the elderly, people deficient in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C, people with cardiovascular and kidney problems. Scientific findings[*2] have shown that poor nutrition increases the incidence and severity of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis. So how will fluoride help these badly nourished and/or chronically ill people? We need to be prepared for when these consultations happen - perhaps such consultations will be happening simultaneously in different parts of the UK. We need be aware of any possible bias in the questions and how the results could be interpreted to fit the pro-fluoride agenda. We need to be ready to fill meeting halls, take part in phone-ins, in order that as many as possible can know the truth about fluoridation. There may be other ways that we need to make our feelings known such as taking part in local newspaper phone-in/website polls - let's make sure it's a big resounding NO! Remember most people will believe what they are told by Health Authority personnel; they will not have the have the opportunity to have read this information. The Government wants public opinion, let's make sure they know how we feel.
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