CALIFORNIA – The Trump Administration announced, April 7, that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would ‘expeditiously review new scientific information on potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water.’
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has referred to fluoride as a “dangerous neurotoxin” and linked it to various health issues.
“Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease,” said Kennedy in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
EPA administrator Lee Zeldin said Kennedy’s advocacy was instrumental in their decision to review fluoride exposure risks.
The EPA cited a 2024 National Toxicology Program report that concluded with “moderate confidence” that fluoride exposure above 1.5 milligrams per liter is associated with lower IQ in children.
The report also concluded that more research is needed to better understand if there are health risks associated with exposure to lower fluoride concentrations.
Over 72% of the U.S. population receives fluoridated water
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 2020, over 72% of the total U.S. population received fluoridated water through a community water system.
Several states including California require water systems of a certain size to provide fluoridated water.
However, the EPA has the primary authority to set and regulate the maximum level of fluoridation in public water systems which is no more than 4.0 mg/L.
Fluoride can occur in drinking water naturally as a result of the geological composition of soils and bedrock, according to an EPA fact sheet.
The agency said that fluoride can also be added to public drinking water supplies as a public health measure for reducing cavities among the treated population.
California says it’s a safe public health measure
California issued a statement, April 1, in support of community water fluoridation as ‘a safe and effective way to support human health and prevent tooth decay in children and adults.’
“One of the biggest benefits of water fluoridation is that it helps everyone in the community and especially those without access to regular dental care,” said the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
They go on to say that water fluoridation has been endorsed by every major health organization in the United States and many other countries, as well as every Surgeon General for the past 50 years.
The EPA said that once its evaluation is complete, it will have an updated scientific review to guide its next steps under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
 would ‘expeditiously review new scientific information on potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water.’ ){kind=link}