City council members in Tavares, Fla., plan to discuss removing fluoride from the city’s drinking water during their next meeting, WFTV9 reported Dec. 2.
Six notes:
1. The effects of water fluoridation have been heavily debated this year after new research questioned its impact on people's health.
2. National debate about water fluoridation began after the National Toxicology Program concluded in a report that higher levels of fluoride exposure are associated with lower IQ in children.
3. Robert Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of Health and Human Services, said Mr. Trump would aim to remove fluoride from public water sources once he is in office.
4. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, MD, PhD, recommended against community water fluoridation due to the potential neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure. He also noted the wide availability of existing alternative sources of fluoride, including toothpaste, mouthwashes and fluoride applications.
5. City staff said removing fluoride from the city’s drinking water would reduce costs for the city’s sanitation department.
6. Leaders in Winter Haven, Fla., voted last month to remove fluoride from their water system by Jan. 1 or as soon as reasonably practical.