**NEWS RELEASE**

**NEWS RELEASE** For Immediate release From the South West Hampshire Green Party combined with Hampshire Against Fluoridation

Test Valley vote to reject Water Fluoridation Those opposing water fluoridation have achieved a landslide victory in Test Valley. At a momentous meeting on 13th November, Test Valley Borough Full Council voted against Water Fluoridation with a massive majority of 26 to 10.

Hampshire County Council is also being recommended to oppose water fluoridation by its Committee who also investigated the subject in detail. Jenny Johnson, anti-fluoridation campaigner in Test Valley said: “The councillors approached this highly complex subject with open minds to listen to all sides of the debate. The quality and level of their investigations, the time and effort they put into their research showed the highest degree of commitment. Council after council across Hampshire appear to be giving the thumbs down to this highly unethical and unsafe 'health' measure. What will the unelected SHA, already under investigation for a rigged ballot and a sham consultation, do now? They have the power to ignore all opposing voices, so will they choose to ignore the decisions of MPs and councils, of campaign groups and groups like the WI? If they do, they run the risk of possible legal action and publicity that could terminally damage the policy nationwide.” Councillor Alan Dowden proposing the motion to reject water fluoridation said “More people now brush their teeth properly. Any beneficial effect of fluoride comes on the surface of the teeth (fluoride is a nasty chemical so kills bacteria). No benefit at all from drinking it.” “So what does the most authoritative scientific study in the UK say? The governments York Review gave the definitive position in year 2000. They did NOT find that that water fluoridation was safe.” “In the USA, what does their most important and prestigious scientific body say about fluoride ? The USA’s National Research Council (NRC) said in 2006Fluoride damages the teeth. Fluoride may cause cancer Fluoride damages the brain Fluoride can weaken bones and increase the risk of fractures Fluoride interferes with the glands and hormones.” “These effects were found at worrying low levels of fluoride. As Fluoride is also in many toothpastes and teas, some people drinking water at 1ppm the level proposed by Southampton PCT would already be receiving a higher proportion than the safe limit.” “Babies should never be fed fluoridated water. There is no known need for any fluoride in the body at all, and we only excrete around half of what is taken in. So Fluoride collects in our bodies over the years.” Dr. Peter Mansfield who worked on the York Review said: “It is ethically wrong to force people to drink fluoride. No physician in his or her right senses would prescribe for a person he or she has never met, whose medical history they did not know, a substance which is intended to create bodily change, with the advice. ‘ Take as much as you like , but you will take it for the rest of your life because some children suffer from tooth decay’. It is clearly is a preposterous notion.”For more information please contact:Email: john.spottiswoode@btinternet.com