A national study is to check fluoride levels in tap water after they were reduced on July 1st on the recommendation of an expert group.
Fluoride is added to public water supplies to prevent dental decay.
However, the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health recommended a reduction in levels due to a slight increase in cases of mild dental fluorosis in the population.
Fluoride levels were reduced from 1mgs per litre to between 0.6 and 0.8mgs per litre since July 1st. Legislation to amend the quantity was passed in the Oireachtas in February.
Now the expert body wants to monitor the specific effects of amending these levels in public water supplies.
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which was set up in April 2004, is made up of experts representing dentistry, public health medicine, toxicology and engineering sectors.
