Florida is expected to become the second state to ban fluoride in public water sources.
The Florida Farm Bill, which passed the Senate earlier this month, also passed in the House this week and is now heading to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) desk. While the bill does not specifically reference fluoride, it does require “certain additives” to be removed from water systems.
The Florida Dental Association has called for fluoride to remain in public water systems, stating, as per the Miami Herald, “Community water fluoridation is one of the most effective and affordable public health measures we can implement to protect our residents’ oral health. Adding optimal amounts of fluoride into our community water supplies can prevent at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults, reducing the need for costly dental treatments.”
Utah became the first state to prohibit fluoride in public water systems in March.
“A person may not add fluoride to water in, or water that will be introduced into, a public water system,” the bill reads. “A political subdivision may not enact or enforce an ordinance that requires or permits the addition of fluoride to water in, or water that will be introduced into, a public water system.”
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also said that he plans to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to end its recommendation that fluoride be present in public drinking water.
In a statement surrounding the new evaluation of fluoridation, Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin said, “Without prejudging any outcomes, when this evaluation is completed, we will have an updated foundational scientific evaluation that will inform the agency’s future steps to meet statutory obligations under the Safe Drinking Water Act.”
“Secretary Kennedy has long been at the forefront of this issue. His advocacy was instrumental in our decision to review fluoride exposure risks and we are committed to working alongside him, utilizing sound science as we advance our mission of protecting human health and the environment,” he added.
