What is the EPA's current action regarding fluoride in drinking water?

The EPA is developing a plan to determine safe levels of fluoride in drinking water and is seeking public comments until February 27.

What are the historical benefits and recent concerns about fluoride in water?

Historically, fluoride has been recognized for preventing tooth decay, but recent studies suggest potential links to lower IQs in children and question its modest benefits in wealthy nations.

When did community water fluoridation policy begin in the U.S.?

Community water fluoridation as a policy began in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and became widely adopted across the U.S. by the 1950s.

Home / Health / EPA Weighs New Fluoride Water Limits Amid Health Debate

EPA Weighs New Fluoride Water Limits Amid Health Debate

28 Jan

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Summary

EPA is seeking public comment until February 27 on safe fluoride levels in drinking water.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. prioritizes fluoride concerns, calling it an industrial waste.
Recent studies suggest lower IQs in children with higher fluoride exposure.

EPA Weighs New Fluoride Water Limits Amid Health Debate

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has initiated a plan to establish safe levels of fluoride in drinking water, inviting public comment until February 27. This process could lead to revisions of the current drinking water standard under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Fluoride has been a focal point for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who heads the Department of Health and Human Services and has voiced strong opposition to its use. The mineral, naturally present in water, soil, and air, is credited with strengthening tooth enamel and preventing cavities, a public health achievement of the 20th century.

Community water fluoridation began in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1945, with subsequent data showing significant reductions in tooth decay. By the 1950s, its benefits were widely acknowledged, leading to broad adoption across the U.S. Currently, approximately 63% of Americans have fluoride in their community water systems, though Utah and Florida banned it in 2025. The recommended level is below 0.7 milligrams per liter, while the EPA's enforceable limit is 4.0 mg/L.