U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a bold statement on Monday, announcing his plans to urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation in communities across the nation. Kennedy, a vocal advocate against fluoride in drinking water, also revealed that he is assembling a task force to focus on the issue.
The news comes on the heels of Utah becoming the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water. Despite opposition from dentists and national health organizations who warned of potential medical problems, Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed legislation prohibiting cities and communities from adding fluoride to their water systems. All water systems in the state must cease fluoridation by May 7.
Kennedy commended Utah for taking a strong stance on the issue, hailing the state as a trailblazer in promoting public health. He was joined by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at a news conference in Salt Lake City, where Zeldin announced the agency’s review of new scientific information on the potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water.
The CDC has long endorsed water fluoridation as a means to prevent tooth decay, with federal officials setting guidelines for the amount of fluoride that should be added to water in 1962. However, Kennedy has been a vocal critic of fluoride, referring to it as a “dangerous neurotoxin” associated with various health issues such as arthritis, bone breaks, and thyroid disease.
While fluoride is known to strengthen teeth and reduce cavities by replacing lost minerals, some studies have suggested potential links between excess fluoride and health problems, particularly at higher-than-recommended levels. The EPA’s renewed evaluation of fluoride exposure risks aims to inform any future changes to national standards.
Currently, nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population receives fluoridated drinking water, with about one-third of community water systems fluoridating their water. The CDC recommends 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, but concerns have been raised about the potential risks of excessive fluoride intake.
A report by the National Toxicology Program last year highlighted studies linking high levels of fluoride in drinking water to lower IQs in children. With these findings in mind, Kennedy’s push to end fluoridation recommendations and the EPA’s review of fluoride risks signal a growing shift in the national conversation on water fluoridation.
As the debate over fluoride in drinking water continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact public health policies and practices across the country. Kennedy’s advocacy and the EPA’s commitment to sound science underscore the importance of reevaluating the risks and benefits of fluoridation to protect human health and the environment.
