Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces plans to end fluoride in drinking water as Utah becomes the first state to ban the controversial chemical additive under his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
Quick Takes
- RFK Jr. will advise the CDC to end nationwide water fluoridation recommendations and is forming a task force to address the issue.
- Utah becomes the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water after Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation prohibiting local fluoridation decisions.
- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a renewed examination of fluoride’s health risks, acknowledging Kennedy’s longstanding advocacy on the issue.
- Kennedy claims fluoride is a “dangerous neurotoxin” despite CDC’s position that it strengthens teeth and prevents cavities at recommended levels.
- Reports indicate high fluoride levels may be associated with lower IQs in children, though evidence is still being debated by health authorities.
Kennedy Leads Charge Against Water Fluoridation
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced plans to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water across America. The controversial move comes as Kennedy forms a special task force to examine water fluoridation policies that have been standard practice in the United States since the 1950s. Kennedy’s campaign against fluoride represents a significant shift in federal health policy, challenging what has long been considered one of the country’s most successful public health initiatives in preventing tooth decay.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans currently receive fluoridated water through public systems. For decades, the CDC has recommended fluoride at 0.7 milligrams per liter of water as the optimal level for preventing cavities. Kennedy, however, has long been vocal about potential dangers of the chemical, viewing it as part of his broader “Make America Healthy Again” initiative—a health-focused complement to President Trump’s flagship “Make America Great Again” slogan. Kennedy’s position marks a dramatic departure from longstanding public health consensus.
Utah Takes Lead in Fluoride Ban
Utah has emerged as the first state to officially ban fluoride in public drinking water supplies. Republican Governor Spencer Cox recently signed legislation prohibiting local decisions on water fluoridation, with the ban set to take effect by May 7. The move represents a victory for anti-fluoridation advocates who have questioned the safety and necessity of adding the mineral to public water systems. During a visit to Utah, Kennedy praised the state’s pioneering stance on the issue, which aligns with his own concerns about fluoride’s potential health impacts.
“I’m very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it, and I hope many more will.”
Kennedy specifically highlighted Utah as “the leader in making America healthy again” during his visit. The state’s unprecedented action could potentially inspire similar legislative efforts across other states, particularly in regions where skepticism about government health recommendations runs high. Kennedy’s endorsement of Utah’s ban signals his administration’s readiness to support states that challenge established public health practices when concerns about safety arise. The Utah ban effectively ends decades of fluoridation in the state’s water systems.
EPA Launches New Fluoride Safety Review
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced a renewed examination of fluoride’s health risks in drinking water, acknowledging Kennedy’s influence in prompting the review. The agency will evaluate emerging scientific evidence regarding fluoride exposure and potential neurodevelopmental effects. This reassessment comes amid growing concerns about possible connections between high fluoride levels and various health issues, including reports that concentrations above 1.5 mg/L may be associated with lower IQs in children, though such findings remain controversial within the scientific community.
“When this evaluation is completed, we will have an updated foundational scientific evaluation that will inform the agency’s future steps. 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.” – Source
The scientific debate surrounding fluoride reflects the complex balancing act between dental health benefits and potential risks. While the CDC maintains that water fluoridation at recommended levels prevents tooth decay, critics including Kennedy characterize it as a “dangerous neurotoxin.” The EPA review will examine evidence that excessive fluoride exposure can cause dental fluorosis (discoloration of tooth enamel) and possibly other developmental issues. The outcome of this review could potentially reshape water treatment policies that have been standard practice in American communities for over seven decades.
Sources:
- RFK Jr. says he plans to tell CDC to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water
- RFK Jr. plans to tell CDC to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water
