Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-01-13-Speech-2-236"
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"en.20040113.11.2-236"2
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".
Firstly, I thank Mrs Doyle for the question. The Drinking Water Directive of 1998 sets quality standards for a range of chemical parameters, including fluoride. The parametric value for fluoride in the directive is based on available scientific evidence and is in line with the values recommended by the World Health Organization.
Secondly, there is general agreement in the scientific community that fluoride in drinking water may have positive or negative effects depending on the concentration. The maximum permitted value of 1.5 mg/litre maintains a good balance between positive and negative effects, according to the World Health Organization. The Commission feels supported in this assessment by the most recent documents of the World Health Organization from 2003, that is, in a new draft edition of the World Health Organization's 'Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality'. These documents maintain the same value for fluoride. At the same time, the issue of artificial fluoridisation of drinking water is the responsibility of Member States and, indeed, the approaches vary from country to country. In some countries it is banned and in others it is left to the local authorities to decide. However, in any case the maximum permitted value has to be respected.
Thirdly, in order to assemble most recent knowledge and experience, the Commission organised a seminar on drinking water in October 2003. It brought together experts from across the European Union, including those from new Member States and from the World Health Organization, and addressed
the issue of fluorides and fluoridisation. For fluoride values it has been recognised that the current value of 1.5 mg/litre reflects current scientific knowledge.
Finally, following a request from the Commission, the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment evaluated a study concerning the quality of drinking water in selected European cities. In its evaluation of 2003 it referred, in line with the scientific position adopted
by the World Health Organization, to both the protective and detrimental effects of fluoride, but did not suggest making a change to the value for fluoride in the directive."@en1
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