Fluoride Discriminates Against..."FLUORIDATION DISCRIMINATES AGAINST...
KIDNEY IMPAIRED, DIABETICS AND ABORIGINALS"
OPEN LETTER TO BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL FROM QUEENSLANDERS FOR SAFE WATER (AIR & FOOD) INC. - MERILYN HAINES
Please be advised that fluoridation may be discriminatory to people with certain medical conditions such as kidney impairment.
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004 states “People with kidney impairment have a lower margin of safety for fluoride intake. Limited data indicate that their fluoride retention may be up to three times normal”
Please also be advised that documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows the NHMRC Review of Fluoridation 2007 was to look at the effect of fluoride on people with kidney impairment. This requirement was in the Tender document and also confirmed in the meeting notes of a phone meeting between the NHMRC and the chief private contractor who did the review. However, when the Review was published, there was no mention of the impact of fluoridation on the Kidney impaired.
When the NHMRC 2007 Review was published it was accompanied by a 2 page document that included the NHMRC Statement of Support and Questions and Answers on fluoridation.
The draft of this 2 page document shows the posed question . “Are there any other health risks associated with fluoride?”
The draft answer to this (obtained by FOI), was “They have a lower margin of safety for fluoride intake, and data suggests their fluoride retention may be up to three times normal”
However, after this document was reviewed by a water treatment specialist and 2 dentists , this warning disappeared. It is not known why the NHMRC selected dentists to give expert advice on kidney function.
Fluoride is a very small molecule and difficult to excrete by human kidneys. At best only 50% of ingested and absorbed fluoride is able to be excreted, with half ending up being stored in bones, the pineal gland and possibly other body organs.
People with impaired kidney function thus will excrete less fluoride and will store more in their bodies. Many Diabetics will go on to have impaired Kidney function. Aboriginals are at particular risk because of their high rates of Diabetes and Kidney Disease.
Apparently through a quirk of nature, Aboriginals are born with fewer nephrons in their kidneys , thus Aboriginals have a lower margin of safety for developing Kidney Disease in later life.
It is advised that you do not proceed with fluoridation as it could be discriminatory to vulnerable members of the community such as Diabetics, Kidney impaired and Aboriginals.
In the event that you still proceed, it is advised at a minimum, that you put in place some provision for those more at risk from fluoridation. When Deniliquin Council fluoridated a couple of years ago, the Council provided and installed free of charge Reverse Osmosis filters for anyone providing a medical certificate stating that the person was at risk from fluoridated water. NSW Health had advised that this was appropriate. This is easily confirmed by contacting Deniliquin Council , or we can provide documentation confirming this.
It is known that at least in one case a Deniliquin resident with a medical certificate did not want a RO filter and was provided with a rain water tank instead.
Murray Shire Council is also entertaining making some provision for those who are at risk of fluoridated water. Please consider the provided advice and please reconsider your decision to force fluoridation on the Ballina community.
Yours respectfully
Merilyn Haines
On behalf of Queenslanders For Safe Water, Air and Food Incwww.qawf.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it mob 0418 777 112
