Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent call to remove fluoride from U.S. drinking water is drawing renewed debate, as studies suggest potential neurodevelopmental risks to prenatal exposure.
Leana S. Wen writes for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Kennedy, poised to influence health policy under a potential second Trump administration, advocates for ending water fluoridation.
- Though fluoride has helped reduce tooth decay, recent studies show high exposure may impact children’s IQ and cause other developmental issues.
- Many European countries have abandoned fluoridation, and a 2024 review found only marginal benefits for modern public health.
Key quote:
“Stopping fluoridation does not rise to the same level of concern as, for example, defunding schools that require childhood vaccines. Medical experts — and the American public — need to save their outrage for when it’s really warranted.”
— Leana S. Wen
Why this matters:
Fluoridation of public water has been a key public health measure since 1962, but emerging research on prenatal exposure suggests it may pose developmental risks. Reevaluating this policy could align the U.S. with other nations and prompt a broader discussion on balancing benefits and potential harms.
