Consider fluoride dangers, meeting told

FLUORIDE FORUM: More than 100 people attended the public meeting held by anti-fluoride group Fluoride Free New Zealand.PHOTO/BEN FRASER 270714BF23

Concerns over the proposed addition of fluoride to Rotorua's water supply were discussed at a public meeting at Sudima Hotel organised by anti-fluoride lobby group Fluoride Free New Zealand.

The meeting on Saturday presented talks from dentists, doctors and other professionals.

Rotorua anti-fluoride organiser Alan Solomon said he and the Fluoride Free New Zealand organisers were rapt with the turnout of about 100 people.

"We didn't have any expectations coming into the meeting because you never know with this kind of thing but we were really pleased with the number of people who came along."

He said fluoride had been a "massive battle" in Rotorua for years.

"People argue that going against fluoridation polarises the community, but once the truth is out there, we think it will unite the community."

Mr Solomon urges Rotorua residents to investigate the dangers of adding silico fluoride to the water supply.

"People often get confused with silico fluoride and naturally occurring fluoride.

"The latter is a natural mineral while the former is a toxic byproduct of the phosphate fertiliser industry."

The meeting followed Rotorua District Council members initially voting to go ahead with a binding public referendum to ask the community if it wanted fluoride in the water supply.

But Councillor Glenys Searancke and five other councillors - Mike McVicker, Peter Bentley, Charles Sturt, Mark Gould and Rob Kent - have signed a "notice of motion" allowing the matter to be redebated at a council meeting this Thursday.

The fluoride debate was raised at the council last month after a submission made by Toi Te Ora Public Health Service Medical Officer of Health Jim Miller.

Dr Miller asked the council to consider introducing fluoride, saying dental decay was the most prevalent chronic disease in New Zealand.

National co-ordinator for Fluoride Free New Zealand Mary Byrne said those at the meeting were "gobsmacked" the council would consider doing that to the water supply.

Ms Byrne said they hoped the councillors would vote to drop the whole issue.