WRITTEN QUESTION E-2782/02

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 October 2002)

Subject: Fluoride in public water supply

Is it permissible for a minister for health in any of the EU Member States to forcibly medicate any part of a population with random doses of a medicinally unproven and unlicensed substance, i.e. fluosilic acid?

And can the Commission outline any single scientific or clinical, objective, long-term study to show that fluosilic acid in drinking water at any concentration has any beneficial effect on human health?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2002)

The issue of fluoridation of drinking water is addressed under Council Directive 80/778/EEC of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption(1), which will be replaced by 25 December 2003 by the new Drinking Water Directive, Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption(2). The approach followed by the Commission in the development of this legislation has been to set limit values, which should not be exceeded, for a series of substances and fluoride in particular; the maximum permitted levels have been fixed on the basis of the available scientific knowledge in order to protect human health. The choice of the means to bring the quality of the drinking water in line with Community legislation has always been left to the Member States themselves. Fluoridation, like other water treatment processes, is an issue that should be addressed by the national authorities, as the Commission believes that is the most appropriate place to deal with it. This line has been endorsed by all Member States and the Commission is not aware that, up to now, this approach has been called into question by Member States themselves.

Fluorosilic acid is manufactured to exacting quality standards, must meet strict purity standards and is always added at rigorous and controlled doses in drinking water.

The values fixed in the Directive are based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. According to them, the value of 1,5 miligrams (mg) per litre for fluoride represents an appropriate balance between the positive and negative effects of fluoride. Drinking water is not the only source of fluoride to which people (and children in particular) are exposed; this has also been taken into consideration when fixing the guideline. This guideline is supported by a series of studies or papers that are referred to in the guidelines.

In the present context of Community legislation on drinking water, where Community-wide quality objectives must be reached by all Member States but where the choice of means to achieve them is left to the latter, the Commission is neither for or against the practice of drinking water fluoridation.

The Commission is, nevertheless, very conscious of the health risks associated with the excessive ingestion of fluoridated compounds which may also result from the use of fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride rinses, fluoride treatments in dental offices, food and beverages. The Commission is very aware of this issue and will continue to follow it very closely.

(1) OJ L 229, 30.8.1980.

(2) OJ L 330, 5.12.1998.