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Monday, April 21, 2025

Tag: Fluoride
April 8, 2025
Health
Media

Trump White House Blasts NYT for Ignoring Their Own Reporting on Fluoride in RFK Jr. Smear.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The New York Times published a story involving Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s review of fluoride recommendations. The White House argues it is a smear meant to portray the Trump administration as anti-science and anti-health.

👥 Who’s Involved: Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., The New York Times, the Trump administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

📍 Where & When: The White House, state governments across the U.S., including Utah.

💬 Key Quote: The White House contends The New York Times story “is another thinly veiled attempt to falsely portray the Trump Administration as anti-science and anti-health—a characterization that couldn’t be farther from the truth.”

⚠️ Impact: Fluoride in drinking water is linked to health concerns, such as potential impacts on children’s intelligence and various associations with chronic diseases.

IN FULL:

The Trump White House is accusing The New York Times of ignoring their own previous reporting to smear Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.‘s push for state governments to consider restrictions on the use of fluoride in public drinking water. According to the White House, The New York Times story, published on Monday, “is another thinly veiled attempt to falsely portray the Trump Administration as anti-science and anti-health—a characterization that couldn’t be farther from the truth.”

Previous reporting by the newspaper notes that “fluoride may be linked to lower IQ scores in children,” the Trump White notes. The potential negative impact on brain development in children has been a core concern raised by Kennedy in his push for state governments to reevaluate their use of fluoride.

In response to the story, the White House contends that the HHS review is grounded in several recent studies and other evidence suggesting fluoride is more harmful than previously thought. They note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that the dental benefits provided by fluoride come from topical contact with the outside of a person’s teeth and not from its ingestion. Additionally, the Trump administration is pointing to a 2024 study from HHS’s National Toxicology Program, which found with “moderate confidence” that drinking water fluoride levels, even at the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit of 1.5 mg/l, are “consistently associated with lower IQ in children.”

The National Pulse previously reported that Utah has become the first state in the U.S. to end the use of fluoride in its public water system. Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT) signed the groundbreaking law into law this past March. It will ban the addition of fluoride on May 7.

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April 7, 2025
Health

RFK Jr. Pushes to Remove Fluoride from Water, Backs MMR Vax.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to end the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation for water fluoridation in the U.S. and is forming a task force to examine fluoride’s health effects. Separately, he has backed the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine he previously criticized.

👥 Who’s Involved: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the CDC, the EPA, Utah State lawmakers, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

📍 Where & When: Announcement made in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 7, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “I’m very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it, and I hope many more will.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

⚠️ Impact: Utah is the first state to ban fluoride in drinking water; public water systems must cease fluoridation by May 7.

IN FULL:

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is setting a new course for U.S. water fluoridation policies, advocating for the CDC to withdraw its longstanding support. This initiative is coupled with the assembly of a dedicated task force to evaluate the health implications associated with fluoride use in drinking water.

Kennedy’s announcement came in the wake of Utah’s recent legislative action making it the first state in the nation to implement a ban on water fluoridation. Addressing reporters, Kennedy expressed pride in Utah’s pioneering stance, citing concerns over fluoride as a neurotoxin potentially linked to a variety of health issues, including arthritis and bone fractures. His remarks were backed by Utah lawmakers supportive of the legislation, as well as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin.

Historically, the CDC has positioned water fluoridation as a preventive measure against tooth decay, stipulating an optimal concentration of 0.7 milligrams per liter. Despite this, some experts argue that adverse effects may occur at certain exposure levels. A 2023 review by the National Toxicology Program indicated that elevated fluoride exposure could negatively impact children’s IQ scores.

However, the fluoride push comes as Kennedy has alienated many longtime supporters by endorsing the controversial media, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Previously, he has been critical of the combined vaccination, which skeptics have linked to rising levels of autism in children, going so far as to brand it a “NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT” after it allegedly caused a mumps outbreak on a U.S. warship.

He now insists that the “most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.”

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March 28, 2025
Health

Utah Ban Fluoride in Public Water Systems.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Utah’s governor signed legislation removing fluoride from public water.

👥 Who’s Involved: Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Utah state lawmakers.

📍 Where & When: Utah, with the bill signed on Thursday; action effective May 7.

💬 Key Quote: Governor Cox questioned the necessity of fluoride: “You would think you would see drastically different outcomes with half the state not getting it and half the state getting it… We haven’t seen that.”

⚠️ Impact: Utah becomes the first state to implement such a policy, impacting roughly 44 percent of its residents currently accessing fluoridated water.

IN FULL:

Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT) signed a groundbreaking bill eliminating fluoride from Utah’s public water supply. The measure, introduced in January and passed by the state legislature, will take effect on May 7. This legislative move makes Utah the first U.S. state to withdraw fluoridation from its public water.

“You would think you would see drastically different outcomes with half the state not getting it and half the state getting it,” Gov. Cox said in a recent media interview. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, about 44 percent of Utah’s population presently drinks fluoridated tap water. The Utah governor continued: “I’ve talked to a lot of dentists. We haven’t seen that.”

“So it’s got to be a really high bar for me if we’re going to require people to be medicated by their government,” Cox added.

Fluoride is generally added to water supplies to aid in the prevention of cavities and tooth decay, especially in children, a practice supported by most public health officials. However, divergent opinions exist about its necessity. President Donald J. Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed concerns, pointing to potential health risks such as arthritis associated with fluoride.

In addition to concerns regarding arthritis development, The National Pulse has extensively covered a series of studies that show fluoride could impact intelligence levels in children. According to a federal government report from the National Toxicology Program (NTP), part of the HHS, consuming water with fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 milligrams per liter can impact brain development. This is especially concerning due to potential impacts on fetal development in pregnant women.

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March 14, 2025
Health
News

MAHA Scores String of Victories on Fluoride, Food Safety, and Vaccination Policies.

The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, associated with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and backed by President Donald J. Trump during the 2024 election, has scored several major victories at both the state and federal levels in recent days. Utah is set to become the first state in the U.S. to prohibit fluoride in public drinking water. Meanwhile, at the federal level, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is halting research into vaccine hesitancy while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating potential connections between vaccinations and the development of autism in children.

Utah’s Republican Governor, Spencer Cox, will soon sign legislation sponsored by State Representative Stephanie Gricius (R) into law, ending the fluoridation of public drinking water in the state on May 7. This will make Utah the first state in the U.S. to explicitly ban public water fluoridation—though Hawaii currently does not require the practice, leaving fluoridation policy up to local governments. While only two counties in Utah currently fluoridate water, nearly half of the Beehive State’s population resides there.

The MAHA movement has actively campaigned against water fluoridation, labeling fluoride as an industrial byproduct linked to various health issues. Kennedy has referenced studies and a court ruling suggesting fluoride poses an “unreasonable risk” and requested an evaluation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Meanwhile, the NIH has halted funding for research into vaccine hesitancy. Around 40 grants dedicated to studying why Americans decline vaccination are being cut. Additionally, the CDC is investigating potential connections between vaccinations and rising autism rates, noting a study that found one in 36 U.S. children is diagnosed with autism—up from one in 10,000 in 1970.

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The "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement, associated with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and backed by President Donald J. Trump during the 2024 election, has scored several major victories at both the state and federal levels in recent days. Utah is set to become the first state in the U.S. to prohibit fluoride in public drinking water. Meanwhile, at the federal level, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is halting research into vaccine hesitancy while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating potential connections between vaccinations and the development of autism in children. show more
September 14, 2024
Health

STUDY: Fluoride Impacting Intelligence In Kids.

A report from the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) has raised questions about the safety of fluoride in drinking water, a practice spanning nearly eight decades aimed at reducing tooth decay. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fluoridated drinking water lowers tooth decay by 25 percent. However, the NTP states with “moderate confidence” that high fluoride levels may be linked to reduced IQ in children.

Approximately 209 million Americans consume tap water treated with fluoride, added to enhanced public dental health. However, recent findings indicate that fluoride concentrations above 1.5 milligrams per liter (mg/L) could decrease children’s IQ by 2 to 5 points.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the former 2024 independent presidential candidate who is now backing former President Donald J. Trump, has voiced concerns about fluoride’s neurodevelopmental effects.

The legal and public health communities are closely watching a federal lawsuit urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prohibit fluoridation based on the NTP’s insights. The NTP’s findings have prompted a few to reconsider the longstanding dental health practice, but federal health guidelines continue to endorse fluoride use.

For those concerned about fluoride exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a tool for checking local tap water fluoride levels. If necessary, home water filters can remove fluoride.

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A report from the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) has raised questions about the safety of fluoride in drinking water, a practice spanning nearly eight decades aimed at reducing tooth decay. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fluoridated drinking water lowers tooth decay by 25 percent. However, the NTP states with "moderate confidence" that high fluoride levels may be linked to reduced IQ in children. show more
August 23, 2024
Health
Science

Report Links Fluoride to Lower IQ in Children.

A new federal report reveals hundreds of thousands of American children may suffer lowered IQ levels due to high fluoride in tap water. The National Toxicology Program (NTP), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), published the 324-page report, finding consuming water with fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 milligrams per liter can impact brain development.

The report draws on previously published research and concludes that high fluoride levels can lead to IQ drops of up to five points. It also suggests that fluoride could cause anxiety, temper issues, and headaches in children as young as three. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data, over 1.9 million people in the U.S. depend on water systems where fluoride levels surpass 1.5 milligrams per liter.

Historically, fluoride has been added to the U.S. water supply to reduce cavities and strengthen teeth. However, the new findings will raise concerns in states like Illinois, Texas, and New Mexico, where water fluoride levels are notably high, that the risks of fluoridation outweigh any benefits.

Guidelines set out by U.S. authorities in 2015 recommend that fluoride levels in drinking water should not exceed 0.7 milligrams per liter—significantly lower than the 1.5 milligram safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the anti-fluoridation advocacy group Fluoride Action Network, over 240 communities globally have ceased water fluoridation since 2010. The new report may encourage more to follow their example.

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A new federal report reveals hundreds of thousands of American children may suffer lowered IQ levels due to high fluoride in tap water. The National Toxicology Program (NTP), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), published the 324-page report, finding consuming water with fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 milligrams per liter can impact brain development. show more
May 20, 2024
Health

High Fluoride Levels in Water ‘Risk to the Developing Brain.’

Pregnant women exposed to high levels of fluoride nearly double the odds of having a child with neurobehavioral issues by age three, including symptoms such as anxiety and emotional regulation problems, according to a recent study. The findings, revealed by researchers who examined just under 230 mother-child pairs, come amid the UK government’s controversial plans to add fluoride to the drinking water supplies of an additional 1.6 million people to improve dental health.

The study, led by Ashley Malin, an assistant professor in epidemiology at the University of Florida, found correlations between increased fluoride levels in pregnant women’s urine and higher reports of neurobehavioral problems in their children. These issues were self-reported by mothers and included headaches and stomach pain, suggesting a potential concern for fetal brain development.

“There is no known benefit of fluoride consumption to the developing fetus, but we do know that there is possibly a risk to their developing brain,” Malin said. “We found that each 0.68 milligram per liter increase in fluoride levels in the pregnant women’s urine was associated with nearly double the odds of children scoring in the clinical or borderline clinical range for neurobehavioral problems at age 3, based on their mother’s reporting.’

Malin highlighted the importance of reconsidering fluoride exposure recommendations during pregnancy. She pointed out the lack of known benefits for fetal development against potential risks and called for broader nationwide studies to further investigate her team’s findings.

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Pregnant women exposed to high levels of fluoride nearly double the odds of having a child with neurobehavioral issues by age three, including symptoms such as anxiety and emotional regulation problems, according to a recent study. The findings, revealed by researchers who examined just under 230 mother-child pairs, come amid the UK government's controversial plans to add fluoride to the drinking water supplies of an additional 1.6 million people to improve dental health. show more
February 11, 2024
Jack Montgomery
Health
UK

UK Govt to Fluoridate Drinking Water of Millions of Britons.

The British government is adding fluoride to the drinking water of 1.6 million people as part of a scheme to “systematically” fluoridate much of the country’s water supply.

“Under new legislation, we have made it simpler to start new water fluoridation schemes,” confirmed Andrea Leadsom MP, the Minister for Public Health in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government.

“Our long-term ambition is to systematically bring fluoridation to more of the country, with a particular focus on the most deprived areas, which stand to benefit most from fluoridation,” she said.

Previously, only around 10 percent of British drinking water was fluoridated, with municipal governments having been allowed to veto fluoridation. New legislation has removed this discretion, allowing the central government to impose fluoridation schemes against their will.

Sir Chris Witty, the Chief Medical Officer for England who pushed for lockdown restrictions during the Covid pandemic, argues that mass fluoridation will improve the nation’s dental health.

Critics say fluoride causes fluorosis and has been linked to bone cancer and brain and developmental issues.

Studies suggest babies fed formula made with bottled water have lower IQs, with a particular impact on nonverbal skills.

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The British government is adding fluoride to the drinking water of 1.6 million people as part of a scheme to "systematically" fluoridate much of the country's water supply. show more