On Monday, top officials from the Trump administration, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, praised Utah’s decision to ban fluoride from public water supplies. This move aligns with the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
During a news conference at the University of Utah, Kennedy Jr. expressed his admiration for Utah’s leadership in this area. He hopes that other states will follow Utah’s example, citing European countries where fluoride has been banned without an increase in cavities. Kennedy Jr. pointed to research suggesting that high levels of fluoride exposure may be linked to lower IQs in children, similar to the effects of leaded gasoline.
The National Toxicology Program’s study noted that there is insufficient data to determine if the current recommended fluoride level in U.S. water supplies affects children’s IQ. Kennedy Jr. also highlighted potential negative impacts on kidney and liver health.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the agency will review its guidelines based on recent studies. “We will act based on the science,” Zeldin said, emphasizing the importance of this issue.
Utah lawmakers argued that the new law supports families’ choice to use supplemental fluoride if needed. The law makes it easier for families to obtain fluoride prescriptions. However, the decision faced opposition from dentists and healthcare providers, who argue that water fluoridation is safe and beneficial for preventing cavities. Critics warn that the ban could lead to increased dental problems and costs for Utah families.
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