Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water
a year ago
- #water fluoridation
- #dental care
- #public health
- Utah becomes the first US state to ban fluoride in public water due to health concerns raised by health secretary Robert F Kennedy.
- Governor Spencer Cox signed the ban into law, effective from 7 May, with other states like Florida and Ohio considering similar measures.
- Fluoride has been added to US drinking water since 1945 to prevent cavities, but Utah's decision has faced criticism from dental experts.
- Republican state lawmaker Stephanie Gricius introduced the bill, citing potential cognitive effects in children, though public health experts dispute these claims.
- Robert F Kennedy alleged fluoride is linked to various health issues, but most experts reject these claims, citing studies with higher fluoride levels than in the US.
- The American Dental Association criticized Utah's decision, calling it a disregard for oral health and based on pseudoscience.
- Many public health groups, including the CDC, support adding small amounts of fluoride to water for cavity prevention.
- Recent court rulings have led to reduced fluoride levels in US water, with some questioning its necessity given its availability in toothpaste.
- Most of western Europe does not fluoridate water, while about 63% of the US population has fluoridated water.
- Experts argue that water fluoridation prevents at least 25% of tooth decay, with no harmful effects at low levels used in programs.