Wednesday,
y February
y 11, 2009
TV WATCH
INSIDE
Poison claim
over fluoride
BY SANDRA MORELLO
Email: sandra@tbw.com.au
A FORMER Grant district coun-
cillor and well-known Mount
Gambier identity has reignited
debate over fluoridation of the
city’s water supply and has
called for works at the Blue Lake
to be immediately halted.
Peter Lamond claimed yester-
day more than 20 doctors in the
Warrnambool district had signed
a petition against fluoridation
for that seaside city and claimed
this was a major wake-up call
for Mount Gambier.
“It is like pouring poison
into our Blue Lake,” said Mr
Lamond, who conceded he could
be labelled as a crackpot by some
people over his claims.
“I can’t believe all those doc-
tors in the Warrnambool district
can be wrong. If they are wrong,
then I want someone to come out
and prove it.
“I don’t care what people
say about me. I don’t want to
have chemicals in our water
supply.”
Mr Lamond first began inves-
tigating fluoridation several
months ago, after he became
seriously ill from what doctors
SA Health facts:
•90pc of Australians already use fluoridated water.
•Mount Gambier is the largest centre without
fluoridation.
•Fluoride added to supply is safely controlled.
•The Blue Lake has no natural fluoride
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have diagnosed as chemical
poisoning.
on the need for fluoridation, to
stop playing politics.
“I don’t want anybody to “I will debate the issue with
go through what I have been Cr Maher any time - he needs to
through,” said Mr Lamond, prove some of these allegations
who now has kidney problems against fluoridation are wrong,”
and serious nerve damage in Mr Lamond said.
his feet. “We are talking about putting
“I got sick from using chemi- industrial waste in our drinking
cals on my farm and in the water.”
bluegums. But the difference He said the doctors in the
there it was my choice to use Warrnambool area who signed
those chemicals, whereas fluori- the petition were GPs, pae-
dation is compulsory. diatricians and various medical
“I would never have used specialists.
those chemicals if I knew how But Health Minister John Hill
dangerous they were.” claimed water fluoridation had
Mr Lamond said there was been proved over time to be a
evidence emerging worldwide safe and extremely effective way
that fluoride was toxic. of preventing tooth decay.
“There are so many people “Not only does this mean
dying from cancer in our city children have fewer fillings and
as it is, we don’t want any more,” extractions, but they are also
said the veteran farmer, who better protected against heart
claimed several countries had disease in later life, which is
stopped fluoridation because of linked to poor dental health,”
health concerns. Mr Hill said in a statement.
“If fluoridation is so good, why “The government believes
is it being stopped in so many the children of Mount Gambier
countries?” deserve the same protection
Mr Lamond said Mount as those in the rest of South
Gambier City Council should Australia and the same roughly
have held a public meeting and a 40pc reduction in dental pMount Gambier Red Cross member Deb Paschke rattles a collection tin
possible referendum on the issue caries.” outside She’s Apples in Mount Gambier yesterday. Picture: SANDRA MORELLO.
when it was first proposed.
He also called on Cr Jim
Maher, who has been outspoken
•Political football claims
rejected, page 5. Volunteers join bushfire appeal
MOUNT Gambier Red Cross vol- generosity of people.
concentrations at an optimum level. unteers have been out and about in Donations can be made at www.
•Fluoride in water repairs teeth. the city rattling tins to raise money redcross.org.au, at NAB, ANZ,
•Drinking water with correct amounts of fluoride is for the victims of the devastating Commonwealth or Westpac bank
not harmful to human health. Victorian bushfires. branches or any Bunnings store.
•Only high quality chemicals are used for Mount Gambier Red Cross spokes- People can also phone the Victorian
fluoridating water supplies. person Deb Paschke said members Bushfire Appeal Fund on 1800 811
•Fluoride is not toxic. had been overwhelmed with the 700.
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