A LIVERPOOL councillor is concerned plans to put fluoride in the city’s water supply will be pushed through if neighbouring areas like Manchester agree to it.

NHS North West is currently reviewing the region’s policy on water fluoridation and Liverpool PCT, along with all other PCTs in the region, will consider whether the substance should be put into the water system.

However, councillor and pharmacist Paul Clein is fiercely opposed to the proposals, and fears the step will be forced on to Liverpool if other councils approve it.

He said: “The Government is trying to push through this policy.

“Liverpool has been against it for many years – in 1994, we rejected the idea.

“However, when Manchester council was consulted, the majority of councillors were either in favour of it or did not object.

“All the options presented to us by the strategic health authority (SHA) lump Liverpool and Manchester together, so I am very concerned it will be forced on us.” Proponents of water fluoridation say that it will help prevent tooth decay in children and therefore improve the county’s dental health as a whole.

The country’s Chief Dental Officer has asked all PCTs to consider it as an option.

However, Cllr Clein and other critics say it is like “taking a sledge hammer to crack a nut”, with possible negative health effects far outweighing the impact it could have on our teeth.

Cllr Clein said: “The more you look into this issue, the worse it gets.

“ The measure would basically medicate the whole population, but EU citizens have the right to refuse medical treatment.

“There is now peer reviewed research which indicates that there is a significantly increased risk of contracting osteosarcoma, a relatively rare bone cancer, in young males growing up in fluoridated areas.

“Around 99% of our water goes into the environment, so who is to say what effect this will have in many years’ time?

“And in areas where fluoridation has taken place, 48% suffer fluoridisation, where the teeth become discoloured.

“One in eight of these people need remedial action, by expensive private dental treatment.

“It is an insane strategy.”

Lesley Gough, consultant in Dental Public Health for Liverpool said: “Until we’ve got a proposed scheme from the SHA, that we can discuss and debate, our position remains neutral.

“At such a time when a scheme is proposed, we will consider it and a full discussion will take place with our stakeholders. “Following this, the PCT may instruct the SHA to conduct a public consultation.”

Manchester City Council also says it is holding a neutral position on the issue, until there are further developments.