PRESS RELEASE 14/2/2001

PRESS RELEASE 14/2/2001

FLUORIDE FREE MEATH

PUBLIC LAUNCH

TUESDAY 20^TH FEBRUARY at 8PM,

Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co. Meath.

The meeting is to launch a new citizens group called Fluoride Free Meath. The aim of this group is to raise awareness of the damaging health effects of adding chemical fluoride to our drinking water and to demand the freedom to choose fluoride free water.

With the increasing levels of dental fluorosis in Ireland it is now time to highlight this fluoride damage to teeth. The aim of this new group is to act locally in the Meath area by raising awareness of:

1. The scientific evidence showing health damage from fluoridation.

2. The chemical used to fluoridate our drinking water.

3. The undemocratic nature of mass-medicating an entire population.

We intend to lobby local councillors to take a united stand against water fluoridation. County Clare has recently joined Dublin Corporation, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal County Councils in demanding the Minister of Health repeal the Health Act 1960 which forces us all to drink artificial fluoride. In addition, we intend to hold further public talks with particular focus on reducing total fluoride intake in County Meath. In Ireland, we get fluoride from many sources, e.g. fluoridated water, fluoridated toothpaste, tea (high in fluoride) and any drinks or processed foods constituted in Ireland using tap water. Guinness, for example, bottled in Ireland has six times the fluoride content than Guinness bottled in London, U.K (not fluoridated).

Mr. Walter Graham, our guest speaker, is spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Councils Against Fluoridation. The U.K. government attempted to fluoridate all of N. Ireland in 1996, but 25 out of 26 councils voted against the measure because of health concerns. Northern Ireland remains fluoridation free. Mr. Graham will share his experiences and highlight the recent international scientific evidence linking health damage with water fluoridation. It is also important to note that 98% of Europe also remains fluoridation free.

Everyone is welcome.

FURTHER INFO: 086 8720907