A court ruling that fluoride in drinking water may lower children's IQ has left the EPA in a tough position as it navigates a potential wave of new petitions for chemical regulations.
Ellie Borst and Miranda Willson report for E&E News.
In short:
- A federal judge ruled that fluoride in tap water poses a potential risk of reduced IQ in children, challenging the EPA's stance.
- The ruling could lead to more citizen petitions under the Toxic Substances Control Act, forcing the EPA to reconsider its regulatory approach.
- Some communities have already halted fluoridation, while others await EPA's response to the ruling and possible appeals.
Key quote:
"We’ve certainly shown that this is a powerful law for citizen groups, so we might see an uptick from here."
— Michael Connett, attorney for the petitioners
Why this matters:
Fluoride, long used to protect against tooth decay, may pose neurological risks at current levels in drinking water. The EPA now faces a difficult decision on whether to revise its regulations or appeal the ruling.
