We love our tea but could it be damaging our health?ph

Article by Dan Buckley

Buy a cuppa? Milk and sugar?  Fluoride with that?

A new scientific study claims that tea made with fluoridated tap water is hazardous to health and that Irish people are most in danger.

Research published this month, in the Swiss-based International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, reveals excessive fluoride levels in tea in Ireland, and, say the researchers, provides the strongest evidence, to date, that the dietary fluoride intake in the general population can exceed the levels known to cause chronic fluoride intoxication.

The Republic of Ireland is the only European country with mandatory legislation, requiring artificial fluoridation of drinking water, and has the highest per capita consumption of black tea in the world.

The study is authored by an international team of researchers led by Irish scientist, Declan Waugh, some of whose previous findings have been rejected by the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, an advisory body that operates under the Department of Health.

The study assessed human exposure to fluoride, from the consumption of tea, by measuring the fluoride content in tea infusions from 54 different black-tea products sold in Ireland. It found all of the black teas had fluoride concentrations that exceeded the maximum enforceable level in drinking water, while also exceeding the maximum permitted level that requires labelling and safety precautions for bottled mineral water, under European regulations.

“These findings are important, because the European Food Safety Authority previously reported that drinking just two cups of tea per day, prepared with fluoridated water, in addition to other dietary sources of fluoride, can provide almost twice the recommended intake for adults,” said Mr Waugh.

“What we’ve shown is that the Republic of Ireland has one of the highest fluoride intakes in the world, due to our high consumption of tea, which is six times the global average.”

Original article Irish Examiner, March 10, 2016 

Other sources:     Fliuch
                            MDPI Switzerland



Row brewing on Facebook with Fine Gael's Kate O'Connell TD deleting questions on Fluoride

Today March 4, 2016 there was a post on Facebook from Dawn Kelly accusing Fine Gael's Kate O'Connell, TD of deleting her questions and comments over O'Connell's post ridiculing anti fluoride arguments in Dublin City Council.  What is interesting about this controversy is that it highlights the issues of Fluoride in our drinking water.  It also shows how advocates of fluoride manipulate the facts.    In this case it is a Fine Gael newly elected TD Kate O'Connell, shown in the video below arrogantly dismissing and belittling fellow Councillors who dared voice concerns about Irish Government's policy of fluoridating drinking water.

Kate O'Connell,  Fine Gael TD won seat in Dublin Bay South, Feb 2016 election.  She was elected to Dublin City Council in 2014 for FG.

Kate O'Connell,  Fine Gael TD won seat in Dublin Bay South, Feb 2016 election.  She was elected to Dublin City Council in 2014 for FG.

Ms O'Connell,  in the video below, seems to assume a  rather doctrinaire attitude, waving away the opposition as irritants and  alluding to her profession as a chemist to emphasise her credentials.  It is a bit like Oppenheimer  saying that nuclear tests are not harmful to humans.   What the actions of O'Connell also highlight is once again an example of political parties reneging on elections promises.  Read the Irish Independent article link below.

 

Dawn Kelly's Statement

Kate O'Connell TD has just BLOCKED me from her page! 
Last night, I commented on her video about water flouridation.   I asked some reasonable questions and shared this link. FG back in 2001 promising to ban flouride in drinking water. http://www.independent.ie/…/fg-election-promise-to-ban-fluo…

Instead of responding she deleted my comments. So, this morning I asked again . Instead of her responding she has blocked me from commenting on her page and again deleted my comments.

What a totally outlandish way for an elected member of government to behave. A newly elected one I might add. If you can't answer simple questions who exactly are you supposed to represent. I am furious that she thinks this is an appropriate way to behave.

 

Dawn's deleted question
"It's me again.  You deleted my comments last night.  But to remind you ......  I asked your to back up what you said about Fluoride not being harmful. You also go against your own party's stance,  (see Independent article)  There have been many studies carried out on the toxicity of water fluoridation and it's harmful effects.  i also asked you to reply without being patronising or condescending as you have been in the comments on this thread.  Instead you chose to hit delete.  I find it hard to believe that this video is for anyone's 'Entertainment' as you put it.  This is a serious health issue and should not be made light of.  I am most interested in you explaining why your party, back in 2001 made an election promise to ban fluoride from drinking water based on medical grounds.  Are you telling me that your party is misinformed and doesn't know what they are talking about?  Do you mean to say that you know better?  Do you know better than the rest of the EU and many other countries who have banned this practice.   I understand that you are a pharmacist and while I respect that you will have more knowledge than some others on that panel, there are many, many others around the world who I am sure would be happy to debate with you on the topic if you were willing to listen.  I find your complete denial of the harmful effects of fluoride baffling."

The 'For Your Entertainment' video on O'Connell's facebook thread

Dublin City Council row over Fluoride in drinking water. Kate O Connell, FG councillor 'For Your Entertainment' facebook post.

50 Reasons To Oppose Fluoridation

See http://fluoridealert.org/articles/50-reasons/

In Europe, only Ireland (73%), Poland (1%), Serbia (3%), Spain (11%), and the U.K. (11%) fluoridate any of their water. Most developed countries, including Japan and 97% of the western European population, do not consume fluoridated water.

In the U.S., about 70% of public water supplies are fluoridated. This equates to approximately 185 million people, which is over half the number of people drinking artificially fluoridated water worldwide. Some countries have areas with high natural fluoride levels in the water. These include India, China and parts of Africa. In these countries measures are being taken to remove the fluoride because of the health problems that fluoride can cause.