Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Monday that he plans to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stop recommending the fluoridation of community water systems across the United States. Speaking after a news conference in Salt Lake City, Kennedy told The Associated Press that he is also assembling a task force to focus on the health effects of fluoride in drinking water.
The announcement comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed it is reviewing “new scientific information” regarding the potential health risks of fluoride.
Associated Press
“When this evaluation is completed, we will have an updated foundational scientific evaluation that will inform the agency’s future steps,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, who appeared alongside Kennedy. “Secretary Kennedy has long been at the forefront of this issue. His advocacy was instrumental in our decision to review fluoride exposure risks and we are committed to working alongside him, utilizing sound science as we advance our mission of protecting human health and the environment.”
Utah recently became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, despite objections from dentists and national health organizations who warned that the move could lead to increased dental health problems, particularly among low-income communities. Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed legislation last month that prohibits cities and communities from deciding independently whether to fluoridate their water. All public water systems in the state must shut down fluoridation by May 7.
Kennedy praised Utah’s decision, saying, “I’m very, very proud of this state for being the first state to ban it, and I hope many more will.” He added, “Utah has emerged as the leader in making America healthy again.”
He stood at the event flanked by Utah legislative leaders and the sponsor of the new law.
The CDC has long supported water fluoridation as a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay, noting that it helps strengthen teeth by replacing minerals lost during normal wear. Since 1950, the federal government has recommended fluoridation, and in 1962, it issued guidelines for optimal fluoride levels in public water systems. The agency currently recommends 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water.
Kennedy, a former environmental attorney, has called fluoride a “dangerous neurotoxin” and linked it to health issues such as arthritis, bone fractures and thyroid disease. While some studies have found potential associations—often at higher-than-recommended levels—experts caution that the evidence is mixed and not conclusive.
A 2023 report from the federal government’s National Toxicology Program summarized international studies and found that children exposed to fluoride levels above 1.5 milligrams per liter showed lower IQ scores. Currently, about two-thirds of the U.S. population receives fluoridated drinking water, covering roughly 17,000 of the 51,000 community water systems across the country.
This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information is available.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.
Update: 4/7/25, 6:20 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.