Public consultation

Public consultation on the preliminary opinion concerning the critical review of any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride and the fluoridating agents of drinking water

The European Commission has requested the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) to critically evaluate any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride, and assessment of the risks that may be associated with the use of the most common drinking water fluoridating agents including silicofluorides (e.g. (hydro)fluorosilicic acid, sodium silicofluoride, disodium hexafluorosilicate or hexafluorosilicic acid).

In line with its procedures for stakeholder dialogue, published on 15 September 2007, the European Commission is launching a public consultation on the preliminary opinion.

The Stakeholder Dialogue Procedure is now implemented in the Rules of Procedures (Annex IV) of the new Scientific Committees set up by Commission Decision 2008/721/EC of 5 September 2008.

Background

Fluoride is not considered to be essential for human growth and development but it is considered to be beneficial in the prevention of dental caries (tooth decay). Public concerns about water fluoridation which may lead to excessive intake of fluoride and may be associated with a number of negative health effects prompted the Commission to seek the advice of its Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER).

Considering previous opinions delivered by EFSA and SCCP, SCHER has reviewed the newest information in the area on risk and benefit of using fluoridated drinking water and intake of fluoride from all sources and has now adopted a preliminary opinion on the issue. In this opinion, SCHER states (among other conclusions) that:

(i) There is no obvious advantage in favour of water fluoridation compared to topical application which is the most effective method for prevention of tooth decay;

(ii) Human exposure to fluorosilicates due to the use of hexafluorosilicic acid or hexafluorosilicate is very low because of their rapid and complete hydrolysis in water forming fluoride ions;

(iii) The upper tolerable intake level of fluoride may be exceeded in children under the age of 12 living in areas with fluoridated drinking water;

(iv) Fluoride intake from drinking water does not hamper children's neurodevelopment and does not impair IQ at the level occurring in the EU;

(v) Studies do not suggest adverse thyroid, skeletal, reproductive or cancerogenic effects of fluoride at realistic human exposure levels in drinking water;

(vi) Exposure of environmental organisms to levels of fluoride as used in fluoridation of drinking water is not expected to lead to unacceptable risks for the environment.

Submission of comments

The preliminary opinion for this request can be found here. See also: Full Bibliography of the Sources Examined for the Opinion on Drinking Water Fluoridation

All interested parties are invited to submit their comments and proposals on the preliminary opinion to the following website.

The deadline for submission of comments is 15 September 2010.

Please note that only comments submitted in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Scientific Committees (Annex IV) will be taken into account.

More information on SCHER and the other Scientific Committees managed by the European Commission