US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced intentions to urge the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cease its recommendation of fluoridation in drinking water across the United States. During a press conference in Salt Lake City, Kennedy revealed that he is forming a task force to address this contentious issue.
In conjunction with Kennedy’s announcement, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has commenced a review of “new scientific information” regarding the potential health risks associated with fluoride in drinking water. The EPA holds the authority to establish the maximum allowable levels of fluoride in public water supplies.
While Kennedy cannot directly mandate communities to end fluoridation, he can influence the CDC’s guidance and collaborate with the EPA to revise existing fluoridation limits. Recently, Utah became the first state to prohibit fluoride in its public drinking water, despite strong opposition from various health professionals and organisations who warn that this decision may lead to adverse health outcomes, particularly among low-income populations. The state’s Republican Governor, Spencer Cox, signed legislation that removes the autonomy of cities and towns in deciding on fluoride addition, with water systems required to halt fluoridation by May 7.
Kennedy has praised Utah’s pioneering stance, expressing pride in the state for its leadership in prioritising public health. He was joined at the event by legislative leaders and supporters of the fluoride ban. As the head of the CDC, Kennedy oversees guidelines that, while influential, are not legally binding. Decisions about fluoride addition are left to state and local authorities, within EPA-approved parameters.
The EPA’s administrator, Lee Zeldin, indicated that the agency plans to reassess scientific studies regarding fluoride’s potential health implications to inform potential revisions to national standards. Fluoride has long been endorsed for strengthening teeth and reducing cavities, with federal authorities backing water fluoridation initiatives since the 1950s and establishing guidelines in 1962.
Kennedy, who previously worked as an environmental lawyer, has voiced strong opposition to water fluoridation, branding fluoride as a “dangerous neurotoxin” linked to various health issues, including arthritis and thyroid disorders. However, while some studies suggest these connections might exist, particularly at elevated fluoride concentrations, the reliability of the evidence has been contested, and definitive conclusions remain elusive.
As this debate continues, the health policy landscape surrounding fluoride in drinking water is set for critical evaluation, driven by new scientific insights and shifting public sentiments.