FLOURIDATION PROGRAMS
Water fluoridation programs, which add fluoride to public drinking water to prevent tooth decay, now serve more than 200 million Americans across thousands of cities. While long promoted as a safe and effective public health measure, growing evidence from recent studies has linked excessive fluoride exposure to potential health risks. Some peer-reviewed studies have found associations between higher fluoride levels and lower IQ scores in children, as well as possible impacts on fertility, thyroid function, and neurodevelopment. Researchers have also reported animal studies showing damage to reproductive organs and hormonal imbalances at concentrations similar to or slightly above what some communities receive in their tap water.
These findings have prompted renewed scrutiny of national water fluoridation policies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are increasingly under pressure to re-evaluate safety limits and consider whether adding fluoride to public water supplies still meets modern health standards. A recent federal court case has already required the EPA to re-examine fluoride’s potential neurological effects, opening the door for further regulatory or legal action. Many scientists argue that the margin of safety used decades ago is no longer adequate given updated toxicological data.
With thousands of water fluoridation programs still active across the country, change may need to come from multiple directions. Federal agencies could impose tighter limits or bans, local councils could vote to end the practice, or citizens themselves could push through lawsuits and ballot initiatives demanding fluoride-free water. If the evidence of risk continues to mount, it may fall to the public to insist that health authorities err on the side of caution and prioritize natural, unaltered drinking water.