Northern Star – AS this week’s fluoride referendum brings Mount Isa closer to a decision, safety concerns surrounding the substance continue to grow. In a Right to Information report recently obtained by The North West Star a Mount Isa Water Board (MIWB) employee has spoken out about safety concerns regarding the possible future handling of fluoride. With 25 years experience with fluoride operations, the MIWB worker said the procedure involves an “unacceptable risk to operators and maintainers”. While the current code of practice is not specific on the handling procedures, ther biological monitoring of workers exposed to fluoride involves collection and analysis before and after each shift. The employee claims the proposed system devised by the plant contractor requires workers to slice open a 25 kilogram bag of fluoride powder and use a vacuum want to extract the powder, which is an acceptable method within the code, but workers believe the method to “represent the barest minimal standard”. There are a number of potential health hazards outlined within the the code of practice including toxic effects known as fluorisis, anaemia, increased bone density (osteosclerosis) and calcification of spinal ligaments. Read Article
Source Article from http://openyoureyesnews.com/2013/07/25/australia-water-board-workers-fluoride-fears/
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