EPA Must Address Risks of Fluoridated Water to Children’s IQs, US Judge Rules

A federal judge in California has mandated that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enhance regulations concerning fluoride in drinking water, citing the compound’s unreasonable potential risk to children at levels commonly found across the country.

U.S. District Judge Edward Chen, based in San Francisco, ruled in favor of several advocacy organizations, concluding that the current practice of adding fluoride to public drinking water to combat cavities poses unreasonable risks to children’s developing brains.

During a non-jury trial, the advocacy groups demonstrated that fluoride represents a significant risk of harm that necessitates a regulatory response from the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Judge Chen referenced scientific literature that suggests a concerning association between fluoride exposure and reduced IQ levels.

While expressing his findings, Chen clarified that he was not definitively stating that fluoridated water endangers public health.

The ruling was celebrated by Food & Water Watch, which has been at the forefront of advocacy against fluoride since filing a lawsuit against the EPA in 2017. The agency had previously rejected their citizen’s petition to consider banning fluoride in public drinking water. Michael Connett, an attorney for the advocacy groups, stated that this “historic decision” paves the way for improved fluoride standards.

The EPA is currently reviewing the ruling.

Fluoridation of water in the U.S. began in 1945, although the recommended levels have since been lowered to mitigate risks, including potential tooth damage. Approximately 200 million Americans, or about 75% of the population, receive fluoridated drinking water at the advised concentration of 0.7 milligrams per liter. While communities voluntarily add fluoride to water supplies, the practice is advocated by health professionals due to its benefits for children’s dental health. It is worth noting that the approach in the U.S. differs significantly from that in Europe, where fluoridated drinking water is uncommon.