Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Friday announced a recommendation against community water fluoridation.
The recommendation comes as a Florida city voted last week to remove fluoride from its drinking water, with one city commissioner citing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s past comments on the matter as one of the reasons.
Florida’s top health official cited “the neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure, particularly in pregnant women and children” as the primary reason for the recommendation.
“It is clear more research is necessary to address safety and efficacy concerns regarding community water fluoridation,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo . “The previously considered benefit of community water fluoridation does not outweigh the current known risks, especially for special populations like pregnant women and children.”
The Environmental Protection Agency sets legal limits for water fluoridation as high amounts of the chemical can cause health issues.