Additional Coverage:
Utah Becomes First State to Ban Fluoride in Public Water
In a controversial move, Utah has become the first U.S. state to ban fluoride in its public water system. The ban, signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox on Thursday and effective May 7th, comes amid concerns raised by U.S.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about potential health risks associated with the mineral.
This decision sets Utah apart, as other states like Florida and Ohio are currently considering similar legislation.
The ban prohibits communities from adding fluoride to public water supplies. While the law itself doesn’t cite specific health concerns, State Representative Stephanie Gricius, who sponsored the bill, has pointed to research suggesting possible cognitive effects of fluoride in children. Gricius argues the ban provides citizens with a choice about fluoride consumption.
Kennedy previously stated that he would advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride, claiming it’s an “industrial waste” linked to various health problems including arthritis, bone fractures, and neurodevelopmental disorders. These claims have been widely refuted by public health experts, who note that studies cited by Kennedy involve significantly higher fluoride levels than those found in U.S. water systems.
The American Dental Association (ADA) strongly criticized Utah’s decision, calling it a “wanton disregard” for public health and citing the “dismantling” of a proven policy based on “distorted pseudoscience.” ADA President Brett Kessler emphasized the importance of community water fluoridation for oral health. Other organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have also long supported water fluoridation.
While the U.S. Public Health Service reduced its recommended fluoride levels in 2015, the federal government has historically encouraged its addition to water supplies to prevent cavities. Recent court rulings and the availability of fluoride in other products like toothpaste have led some to question the continued need for water fluoridation.
This practice is less common in western Europe, although around 63% of the U.S. population receives fluoridated water. Supporters of fluoridation cite studies showing it prevents at least 25% of tooth decay in both children and adults.
The ADA maintains that the evidence supporting community water fluoridation is “clear and compelling.” Experts like Prof.
Avijit Banerjee of King’s College London have also stated that the potential negative effects of fluoride are not associated with the low levels used in water fluoridation programs.