Goodbye fluoridated water: US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to move forward with eliminating fluoride from drinking water

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated publicly this week that he opposes the fluoridation of the water supply and hopes to see the compound removed during his tenure. However, the decision is left up to state governments and local communities, limiting his power to make any significant changes on the issue.

Secretary Kennedy leads the charge against fluoridation

Earlier this week, the secretary joined lawmakers in Utah, which recently became the first state to enact legislation banning the addition of fluoride into the state’s public drinking water system. PBS News also reported that Secretary Kennedy informed the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that they should not make any further recommendations to communities considering adding fluoride to their water systems. This news was coupled with a report from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcing it would launch a study into the long-term effects of fluoride on health and safety.

CDC and Secretary Kennedy at odds over the benefits of fluoridation

For decades, the majority of public health experts have supported the fluoridation of public water systems to reduce the risk of dental or oral diseases. Currently, the CDC’s website promotes fluoridation, stating it “benefits all members of a community by preventing cavities, reducing oral health disparities, and saving money for everyone.” Secretary Kennedy’s mandate goes against many of the institutional beliefs that have long supported fluoridation, which the CDC ranked as one of the most important public health advancements of the 20th century. The CDC points to research indicating that adding the compound to water reduces cavities in both children and adults by 25 percent.

However, Secretary Kennedy and many of his followers believe that higher levels of fluoride can lead to cognitive impairments. While studies reaching this conclusion have been published, researchers have pointed to small sample sizes that could skew results. Additionally, a handful of other studies have come to the opposite conclusion, with one from two Swedish scholars published in 2021 estimating that the compound has zero effect on cognitive ability if administered at a safe dose. The researchers from Uppsala University do not claim that there is no threat to human health from fluoride but emphasize the need to ensure that a safe level is administered to avoid negative outcomes.

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