Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, MD, PhD, has recommended against community water fluoridation due to the potential neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure.
Six notes:
1. The new guidance from Florida comes amid a national debate about the effects of fluoride exposure.
2. In August, the National Toxicology Program released a report stating that drinking water with more than double the recommended limit of fluoride was associated with lower IQ levels in children.
3. A federal judge also ruled in September that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must address the impact fluoride has on drinking water.
4. Dr. Ladapo cited several recent studies that found negative health impacts linked to high fluoride exposure, particularly on vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant people.
5. The surgeon general said he recommended against community water fluoridation due to the potential health risks and the wide availability of existing alternative sources of fluoride, including toothpaste, mouthwashes and fluoride applications.
6. More than 70% of Florida residents receive fluoridated water, according to a Nov. 22 news release from the Florida Department of Health.