Federal agencies HHS and EPA to examine fluoride levels in tap water, as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocates for CDC to cease its endorsement.
Fluoride in drinking water is causing quite the stir these days. Here's the lowdown on this controversial topic.
The US Department of Health and Human Services is reuniting the Community Preventative Services Task Force, a group of public health experts, to examine fluoride once more and offer recommendations [1][2]. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also hinted at urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to no longer recommend fluoride in drinking water for communities [2].
Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is rushing to analyze recent scientific data concerning the potential hazards of fluoride in our drinking water [1][2][3]. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin mentioned that once this review is complete, they will have updated foundational scientific information to guide their future actions [3]. It's worth noting that while the CDC provides recommendations, it's actually the EPA that sets the limits on substances in water and offers advice under the Safe Drinking Water Act [2].
In March, Utah banned municipal drinking water systems from adding fluoride, with these changes set to take effect in May [5]. Other states, such as Ohio, South Carolina, and Florida, are contemplating restrictions on fluoridated water [2]. However, the American Dental Association (ADA) strongly opposes these restrictions, as they believe fluoride is instrumental in maintaining dental health and removes cavities in both children and adults [3].
Dentists are particularly concerned about the consequences of banning fluoride, stating that this action may adversely affect vulnerable children and adults over the long term [3]. For example, a pediatric dentist in Utah reported operating on patients with 12 and 14 cavities, fearing that similar scenarios may become commonplace in Utah due to the ban [5].
Fluoridation of public water systems is often regarded as one of the most successful public health advancements of the 20th century [5]. Since the 1940s, municipalities have been adding fluoride to water after scientists observed that areas with high levels of naturally occurring fluoride exhibited fewer cavities [5]. The CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, and ADA endorse fluoride use as an effective and safe method for maintaining dental health [5].
Adding this naturally occurring mineral to drinking water is the most cost-effective means of strengthening teeth, according to the CDC, providing protection from normal wear and tear as well as cavities, particularly among children [5]. For some families, this may be their sole form of oral health protection if they cannot afford frequent dental visits [5].
However, concerns over fluoride's potential health risks have been raised, prompting the EPA's expedited review [1][2][3]. One study conducted by the National Toxicology Program found that higher levels of fluoride (above 1.5 milligrams per liter) are connected to lower IQs in children [3]. Yet, the ADA stated that this report does not apply to the practice of fluoridation in the U.S. and Canada, where the fluoride level is 0.7 mg/L [3].
In September, a federal judge mandated the EPA to take further steps to control fluoride due to a handful of studies suggesting a possible link between exposure to high levels of fluoride and children's intellectual development [2]. A separate report from the Cochrane Collaboration found only a slight benefit in adding fluoride to tap water, leading to fewer cavities in children's baby teeth [2].
Fluoride is present in public drinking water systems used by three-quarters of Americans, according to the CDC [5]. The ADA maintains that fluoridation remains effective in reducing dental decay by at least 25% in both kids and adults, even when alternative methods are available, such as toothpaste [5].
Over time, the debate regarding fluoride use in water has intensified in many states. For example, Utah initially banned fluoride in the water in 1976, citing health concerns and conspiracy theories involving fluoridation and communism [5]. Decades later, the CDC found that only about 44% of Utah residents had access to fluoridated water systems, ranking Utah 44th among US states [2]. Recently, anti-fluoride advocates in Utah have expressed concerns about the cost of fluoridation and its impact on health. The ADA disagrees and has even sent letters to legislators to protest the ban [2].
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been rushing to analyze recent scientific data concerning the potential hazards of fluoride in our drinking water, as they aim to provide updated foundational scientific information to guide their future actions.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides recommendations, but it's the EPA that sets the limits on substances in water and offers advice under the Safe Drinking Water Act, indicating the different roles of these agencies in regulating fluoride.
- The American Dental Association (ADA) strongly opposes potential restrictions on fluoridated water, asserting that fluoride is essential for maintaining dental health and removing cavities in both children and adults, highlighting the intellectual standpoint of the association on the issue.
