Australia's Prime Minister on Bottled Water
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12.31.06
In Australia, consumption of bottled water has doubled over the past six years, and tooth decay is on the rise as children drink it instead of fluoridated tap water. The Prime Minister is unhappy. In a plea to parents to get their children to drink tap water instead of bottled water, Prime Minister John Howard described the worsening tooth decay epidemic as a national tragedy. "I think one of the things we have to try and do though, is get young kids to drink tap water again to do something about their teeth,"... "It's a real tragedy this. You're starting to see the re-emergence of decay in young kids." he continued- "I grew up in a generation who had bad teeth because we didn't have fluoride, and fortunately my children have all got great teeth," Mr. Howard said. "But kids now who are being born into the bottled water generation are missing out on that." ::Sydney Morning Herald
The alternative of course is to drink water that comes through lead and/or PVC pipes.
I thought that Australia had listed fluoride as the poison it is so it was taken out of water. It would be interesting to see the rise in cavities compared to eating processed foods and drinking bottled water and see which one more closely matches the tooth trend.
The alternative of course is to drink water that comes through lead and/or PVC pipes
Actually, the alternative is to drink tap water but use a water filter to remove lead if your drinking water comes through lead pipes. The water filter costs money as well, but it should still work out cheaper than buying bottled water. Some companies, like Brita, accept used water filters for recycling. In the UK for example, they can be returned to Brita free of postage, so there's no incentive not to!
The other issue with bottled water is the waste generated. Most are stored in plastic bottles that, once empty, are likely to end up in landfill sites rather than be recycled. What's more, not all water is bottled locally, so there's the question of transporting water over long distances and all the attendant travel and emission costs.
Finally, there's a common belief that natural mineral water is healthier than tap water. The stance of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is that there is no convincing evidence to support this (although I realise many people drink bottled water simply because they prefer the taste to tap water).
Robert said:
"The alternative of course is to drink water that comes
through lead and/or PVC pipes."
I have been working with plumbing and piping for various types of water systems (as well as for steam, chemicals, sewage and other stuff) for 35 years and have NEVER run across lead pipe. Nor have I ever even heard of it except in posts like this. It would be a horrible piping material just from a purely mechanical point of view.
Can you tell me where I might find some lead pipe? Perhaps a supplier? Or an actual instance of it's use?
I have also designed, built and operated ultra high purity distilled water systems for pharmaceuticals. PVC is one of the materials of choice since you can keep water in it more or less forever without picking up anything. Unfortunately, it does not work well with hot water so we used mainly 316L stainless. But it has problems of its own.
Perhaps you could explain your objection to PVC?
John
Lead piping and appurtenances largely went out of style by the end of WWI, being replaced by the more widely available and convenient copper and steel plumbing. IHence, lead is found in US cities as a city core relict. For example, I had a home in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood (near Wrigley Field) that had an all-lead, 1.5 inch cold water line coming into the home from the street. (The city water main, which was steel I believe, paralleled a crumbling brick sewer pipe in the street. More on that later.) My house plumbing was all copper, however.
When I needed a new gate shutoff valve put at the copper-lead juncture I had to locate a retired plumber who had the equipment and skills needed to "wipe" a lead/copper joint.
Afterward, I had my water tested for lead several times and it was fine - well below the max contaminant level (MCL). This may have had to do with the fact that Chicago water was well buffered and hence not considered "agressive" in the matter of dissolving metals.
Ask your water supply company for test results typical of sampling at the point of distribution. Then, sample the water at point of consumption (your tap). If both are good, you're fine. And if you live in the suburbs or a district developed after 1960 the odds there will be no problem.
Can Treehugger please learn how to spell Sydney? This is not the first time I have seen it spelled Sidney on this site, which I of course love dearly.
LA: My apologies. It is fixed.
I always thought the flouride in water for better tooth-health was a myth 'cause I grew up on well-water and my teeth are fine now. (and city water is disgusting)
Many Australian children eat plenty of junk food food and low amounts of fruit and vegetables. The Australian diet is appalling. Health care is not so cheap either. Don't be fooled by Johhny, the man who does prime minister impressions he is more likely speaking on behalf of a industry lobby group not acting in his nations interest. i filter my tap water and eat my vegetables and i certainly don't put my faith in Australian politicians.
>>For example, I had a home in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood (near Wrigley Field) that had an all-lead, 1.5 inch cold water line coming into the home from the street.
I like in Oak Park near Chicago, and yeah my main line that goes into my house is lead (all my house pipes are copper).
Fluoridation of water is still controversial, as in most of Europe doesn't do it. There is no proof that ingesting flouride has any benefit and many in fact harm you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation_controversy
Fluoridation, using fluoride is helpful. It also can be too over powering. If you brush your teeth there should be minimal help. It can also be corrisive to your mouth, as well as other parts of your body.
This politician might be like many others. But the truth is that if Australians aren't taking care of their health, this fluoridation may be of help.
I'm personally against it, modern technology, medicine and all should make all these health issues totally preventable. I think it is a waste of time and money. But then again, I do a lot more.
I'm also a proponent of survival of the fittest. I think a lot of people should be allowed to suffer just to prove the point to not do things. I'm a mean preak, and I'm sure I'll get a few mails about this.
Have fun,
The city of Brisbane (pop. 1.7m) is the only Australian state capital that doesn't have fluoridated water, and scaremongerers have been pushing the old "think of the children's teeth!" chestnut for years.
The funny thing is, tooth decay is caused by plaque build up and the most effective treatment is physically removing the plaque by brushing and flossing regularly. It never ceases to amaze me that so many people actually think drinking fluoridated water is what's needed instead.
@John Henry: Plumbing derives from the Latin word for Lead ... "Plomb" (Symbol Pb).
Of course that could have just been John Howard diverting attention away from the fact that the nation's teeth are rotting because they can't afford to go to the dentist,
Of course that could have just been John Howard diverting attention away from the fact that the nation's teeth are rotting because they can't afford to go to the dentist,