RFK Jr. Aims to Halt CDC Fluoride Recommendation in Drinking Water
SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S. Health Secretary stated on Monday his intention to advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cease recommending nationwide community water fluoridation. Kennedy announced the formation of a task force comprising health experts to examine the matter and formulate revised guidelines.
Also on Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is reassessing “new scientific information” regarding potential health hazards linked to fluoride in drinking water. The EPA establishes the maximum permissible fluoride level in public water systems.
Kennedy disclosed his plans to The Associated Press following a joint press conference with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in Salt Lake City.
While Kennedy cannot mandate communities to discontinue fluoridation, he can instruct the CDC to withdraw its recommendation and collaborate with the EPA to adjust the allowed fluoride concentration.
Last month, Utah became the first state to prohibit fluoride in public drinking water, overcoming objections from dentists and national health organizations who cautioned that this decision would disproportionately affect low-income individuals who lack access to regular dental care.
Republican Gov. Spencer Cox enacted legislation preventing cities and communities from independently deciding whether to add the cavity-preventing mineral to their water. Water systems throughout the state must halt fluoridation operations by May 7.
Kennedy lauded Utah for taking the lead in “making America healthy again.” He was accompanied by Utah legislative leaders and the bill’s sponsor.
“I’m very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it, and I hope many more will,” he stated.
Kennedy is in charge of the CDC, whose recommendations are generally followed but not compulsory. State and local governments decide whether to introduce fluoride into water and, if so, in what quantity, provided it remains within the EPA’s maximum limit, which is currently 4 milligrams per liter.
Zeldin indicated that his agency is initiating a fresh review of scientific studies on the potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water, aiming to inform any modifications to national standards.
“Upon completion of this evaluation, we will possess an updated scientific basis to guide the agency’s future actions,” Zeldin explained. “Secretary Kennedy has been a longtime advocate for this issue. His support was crucial in our decision to reassess fluoride exposure risks, and we are dedicated to collaborating with him, utilizing sound science as we pursue our goal of safeguarding human health and the environment.”
The CDC reports that fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replenishing minerals lost during normal wear. In 1950, federal authorities endorsed water fluoridation for preventing tooth decay, and in 1962, they established guidelines for the appropriate amount to be added to water.
Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer, has described fluoride as a “dangerous neurotoxin” linked to arthritis, bone fractures, and thyroid disease. While some studies have suggested these associations, typically at higher-than-recommended fluoride concentrations, some reviewers have questioned the validity of the evidence and argue that no conclusive findings can be drawn.
In November, shortly before the presidential election, Kennedy claimed that Donald Trump would move to eliminate fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office. While this did not materialize, Trump subsequently selected Kennedy to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he was anticipated to take action on the matter. Meanwhile, some localities have proceeded with deciding whether to continue adding fluoride.
Related to this, recent significant staffing reductions across federal agencies included the elimination of the CDC’s 20-person Division of Oral Health. This division administered grants to local agencies to improve dental health and, in some instances, promote fluoridation.
Researchers indicate that while fluoride can originate from multiple sources, drinking water remains the primary source for Americans. CDC data reveals that nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population receives fluoridated drinking water. The introduction of low levels of fluoride into drinking water has long been regarded as one of the most significant public health achievements of the past century.
According to a 2022 CDC analysis, approximately one-third of community water systems—17,000 out of 51,000 across the U.S.—fluoridate their water. The agency currently advises a concentration of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water.
However, over time, studies have identified potential issues. Excessive fluoride has been associated with streaking or spots on teeth, and links have been found between excess fluoride and brain development.
A report released last year by the federal government’s National Toxicology Program, summarizing studies conducted in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Mexico, concluded that drinking water with more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter—more than double the recommended level in the U.S.—was associated with reduced IQ scores in children.
The American Dental Association (ADA) asserts that decades of fluoride use in drinking water have demonstrated a reduction in tooth decay. The group has expressed its willingness to assist in conducting rigorous studies to resolve the issue.
According to Brett Kessler, president of the ADA, “When government officials such as Secretary Kennedy support misinformation and distrust of peer-reviewed research, it harms public health.”
Lorna Koci, chairperson of the Utah Oral Health Coalition, expressed hope on Monday that other states would resist the removal of fluoride and that Kennedy’s visit to celebrate Utah’s ban underscores the political motivations of those advocating for it.
“This appears to be less about fluoride and more about power,” Koci concluded.
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Stobbe reported from New York. Associated Press writer Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed reporting.