IMPORTANT! FLUORIDE OPTIONS.

Mrs. Jan Sharrock suffers health problems by drinking fluoridated water. Jan sent this to me and asks everybody to write to the Cairns Mayor to request to use the first option. - Werner

Before fluoride is introduced to Cairns water supply this year, Council will decide which particular fluoride chemical we will have.

The options are:
1. Sodium Fluoride
2. Sodium Silicofluoride
3. Hydrofluorosilicic Acid

Option 1 which is Sodium Fluoride, is classified as a Pharmaceutical Grade product. This means that it must meet strict standards of purity, and be subject to periodical testing, thus ensuring that it is, by government definition, suitable for human consumption. Sodium Fluoride is the most expensive option, and is the chemical used in Townsville and Mareeba water supplies.

Options 2 & 3 are known collectively as Silicofluorides, and their classification is Industrial Grade. The pesticide and rat poison industries use silicofluorides, as do the laundry and drycleaning trades, for stain removal. These chemicals are also used extensively in the refining of oil. Sodium Silicofluoride is the cheapest option.

Unlike pharmaceutical grade Sodium Fluoride, the silicofluorides do not have to be chemically pure, and may therefore be contaminated with residues of toxic heavy metals, such as arsenic, mercury and lead, all of which are known carcinogens. Product will vary from batch to batch.

When we look at the poison ratings of each product, there is again considerable variation between options. Poisons are required by law to be labelled according to their rating on the Government Poisons Schedule.

Checking the options again:

1. Option 1 is Sodium Fluoride. It has the lowest possible poison rating which is S2
.
2. The rating of the second option, Sodium Silicofluoride, jumps to S6. Products in this category have a greater potential for causing harm to humans.

3. The third option, Hydrofluorosilicic Acid is S7. This is the category for the most dangerous poisons. The only higher category, S8, covers illegal poisons.

No toxicology studies have ever been performed on silicofluorides used in water fluoridation schemes. The only toxicology studies ever done are on pharmaceutical grade S2 Sodium Fluoride, as used in toothpaste.

Council favours the Sodium Silicofluoride option. If we must have fluoride for health reasons, then the choice must surely reflect the primary issue which is health, and this product is SODIUM FLUORIDE. Price should be a secondary concern.

It is imperative that Council be aware of the huge variation between the 3 fluoride chemicals, and that they know what you and I, and all the people of Cairns want. Council needs to know that you feel strongly about the best fluoride option. And they need to know NOW, before a decision is implemented, which will be any time now. You can email the mayor at v.schier@cairns.qld.gov.au
Jan Sharrock.