Trump plans to end water fluoridation if elected: 7 things to know

Former President Donald Trump aims to remove fluoride from public water sources if he is elected, Trump ally Robert Kennedy Jr. has said, USA Today reported Nov. 3.

Here are seven things to know:

1. In a post on X, Mr. Kennedy said, "On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S​. water systems to remove fluoride from public water."

2. In September, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must address the impact fluoride has on drinking water. The ruling did not ban or limit the addition of fluoride to public drinking water supplies, just that the EPA is required to take action on the matter. 

3.  Following the ruling, multiple dental organizations, including the American Dental Association, stood by their fluoride recommendations.

4.  In the post, Mr. Kennedy claimed fluoride is associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease; he did not cite any evidence or studies. 

5. In August, HHS' National Toxicology Program released a report stating that drinking water with more than double the recommended limit of fluoride has been associated with lower IQ levels in children. 

6.  The U.S. Public Health Service recommends a fluoride level of 0.7 milligrams for water sources. The report claimed that water with more than 1.5 milligrams could have issues. 

7.  "While President Trump has received a variety of policy ideas, he is focused on Tuesday's election," campaign senior adviser Danielle Alvarez told USA Today in a statement.    

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.