Dear Editor,
It is really pleasing to see that the Kāpiti District Council has decided to include the option of “ceasing to add fluoride” to Kāpiti’s water supply in this year’s Draft Annual Plan. I must applaud Cr Peter Daniel, Mayor Rowan and the other councillors that chose to support this initiative. These councillors have shown that they are prepared to put the health and well being of the residents of Kāpiti above all other political considerations. This shows integrity and is something that is sadly lacking in a great deal of other councillors around the country.
However, residents need to be aware that until such time as fluoride is no longer added, fluoridated tap water should not be used for making up baby’s bottles. The Center for Disease Control, and arm of the US Public Health Services, and the American Dental Association, two of the world’s staunchest promoters of fluoridation, warn not to give fluoridated water to babies. Babies being bottle fed have a really good chance of developing fluorosis. In fluoridated areas of New Zealand around 30% of children show the first signs of this disease which are white spots or mottling of the teeth. Fluoride cannot be boiled out so it is important to either buy bottled water or go to Petone for naturally clean, non-fluoridated artesian water.
More information can be found at www.fannz.org.nz or www.banfluoride.org.nz.
Mary Byrne
Petone
