Page 1555 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 27 September 1989
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MR WHALAN: This is precisely the problem that we face. What has been raised in the debate today, and particularly in the concluding speech of Mr Prowse, highlights the real need for this to be referred to the committee, as proposed by my colleague Mr Berry. When Mr Prowse was speaking, he spoke about fluoride poisoning and the high toxicity of the chemical, and in doing so quoted the World Health Organisation. We all realise - and Mr Prowse has acknowledged this - that poisoning and toxicity are related to dose, and he was saying that he does, in fact, as a naturopath or whatever, prescribe poisons to people in certain dosages, but of course they are minute. But in relation to this, he does not continue to state that the World Health Organisation strongly recommends the fluoridation of water supplies for human consumption at a prescribed level as an important public and dental health measure.
Now,, it is not denied that fluoride at high levels can be toxic. I think that is generally acknowledged. But, equally, chlorine is a chemical which is related to fluoride. It is a highly toxic gas which can cause death, but it is universally used in the chlorination of water supplies as a public health measure, again at a recommended dose. Where does Mr Prowse stand in relation to chlorine? Is this acceptable or is it not? Sodium in the form of caustic soda is very toxic, yet when added to another toxic chemical, chlorine, it produces salt, which is again used by most people in the community.
So chemistry is very complex, and that is one of the reasons why we need to have the opportunity for so many of these complex issues to be examined by the competent members of our Social Policy Committee, so that they can avoid a situation where they can be quoted out of context. If fluoridation of water is to be regarded as mass medication, then so is chlorination. So why do the anti-fluoridation people not become anti-chlorination people as well?
Mr Prowse: It is a different reason. That treats the water; this treats the people.
MR WHALAN: Come on; they are both chemicals. You have got to be consistent. Maybe Mr Prowse is suggesting that we should all be issued with chlorine tablets, in the same way as the Residents Rally, as part of their policy, is going to issue free fluoride tablets to the community as their response. He raises the question of the relationship between cot death and fluoridation, and that was an issue that was raised during the debate. We have just recently had a fundraising appeal in relation to research into cot death, and it is widely acknowledged that the cause of cot death is at this point of time unknown. There is quite a number of possible causes, and it is quite open to those who wish to misrepresent any situation to put forward a cause.
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