Madison, Alabama, is ending the addition of fluoride in its water supply this week following a vote on the matter earlier this year.
The March 17 vote saw the Madison Utilities Board unanimously move to stop incorporating the substance in water systems. In a statement to News 19, the board explained the decision was reached over “concerns for employees’ health and safety, and because of the way using hydrofluorosilicic acid impacted their treatment facilities.”
The acid is believed to have caused “structural degradation” to facilities, leading to maintenance costs, the outlet reported.
Two states have banned fluoride from being added to public water systems. Utah became the first state in the country to do so 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.”
Florida became the second state to ban fluoride in water systems in May. Governor Ron DeSantis (R) said prior to the bill’s signing that Florida has “other ways where people can get access to fluoride,” explaining, “When you do this in the water supply, you’re taking away a choice of someone who may not want to have overexposure to fluoride.”
While the bill does not specifically reference fluoride, it does require “certain additives” to be removed from water systems.
