The Coalition to Ban Water Fluoridation is a growing group of New Zealand organisations calling for a ban on water fluoridation in light of new science surrounding the practice. The coalition was formed by the Fluoride Action Network and Health Freedom New Zealand; it now includes the Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, Soil and Health Association and Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility. For a full list of NZ organisations see the About Us page.
Our call for a ban is also supported by an increasing list of 2,500 medical professionals campaigning about the dangers of water fluoridation and calling for urgent end to the practice worldwide. Many of these professionals have reversed their pro-fluoridation position after examining both the original data used to support fluoridation policy and the latest research that links fluoride to dental fluorosis, lower IQ, hip fractures, thyroid disorders and type of bone cancer called Osteosarcoma.
New science proves there is no significant benefit from swallowing fluoride. Tooth decay decline is often attributed to the practice of water fluoridation. Since tooth decay has also declined in unfluoridated areas worldwide, fluoridation is being questioned by consumers and professionals alike.
The US Public Health Service now warn of the dangers of Fluoridated water to infants. Fluoridated tap water (1 ppm) has 250 times more fluoride than occurs naturally in human breast milk (0.004 ppm). Using fluoridated water in preparing infant formula or foods dramatically overexposes infants to fluoride putting them at risk of developing dental fluorosis.
Fluoridation is not cost effective when you consider the total cost to benefit. When measuring the real cost of fluoridation the current policy sees a small return on investment of public funds. The Whangarei District Council chose not to introduce fluoridation to the district citing the expense as one reason.
Fluoridation impacts negatively on the environment. In New Zealand there has been no comprehensive environmental impact study on how fluoridated water may pollute our ecosystem. We do not know how it is affecting our fisheries, soils, animals or fauna.
Fluoridation is an unethical practice of enforced mass medication upon the population. Fluoride is the only chemical added to drinking water for the purpose of medication, originally alleged by corporate interests in the US to reduce dental decay. Most of Europe has rejected fluoridation because of the civil liberties infringement, and it is now being questioned by professionals in the US.