The Environmental Protection Agency has appealed a court order directing the agency to further regulate fluoride in public water systems, according to a Jan. 21 news release from the American Dental Association.
Here are five things to know:
1. A group of citizens sued the EPA after the agency denied a petition to end community water fluoridation, claiming that fluoride reduces neurocognitive health.
2. In September, a federal judge sided with the citizens and ordered the EPA to "engage with a regulatory response."
3. A coalition recently wrote a letter to the EPA, urging the agency to appeal the court ruling.
4. Many dental organizations have pointed out potential issues with the report and data cited in the court ruling to support the claim that fluoride causes lower IQ levels.
5. The impact of water fluoridation on health has become a heavily debated topic in recent months.