Florida surgeon general calls for halting fluoride in water, echoing RFK Jr. [View all]

Source: Washington Post

Florida surgeon general calls for halting fluoride in water, echoing RFK Jr.

The state’s top health official cited controversial studies that suggest the widely hailed public health practice poses a risk to developing brains.


Florida surgeon general Joseph A. Ladapo is recommending fluoride be removed from the state's water. (Chris O'Meara/AP)

By Fenit Nirappil and Dan Diamond
Updated November 22, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. EST | Published November 22, 2024 at 4:11 p.m. EST

The top health official of the nation’s third-largest state called Friday for a halt to adding fluoride to Florida’s water, citing controversial studies that suggest the widely hailed public health practice poses a risk to developing brains.

Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo issued a recommendation citing “the neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure, particularly in pregnant women and children,” and noting the availability of alternative sources of fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash.

“It is clear more research is necessary to address safety and efficacy concerns regarding community water fluoridation,” Ladapo said in a statement. “The previously considered benefit of community water fluoridation does not outweigh the current known risks, especially for special populations like pregnant women and children.”

Ladapo’s announcement comes three weeks after Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, said the Trump administration plans to issue a similar recommendation nationwide next year. Kennedy’s remarks drew rebukes from public health experts who say that the practice has helped protect Americans’ teeth, particularly in vulnerable communities where children might not regularly brush their teeth.

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By Fenit Nirappil
Fenit Nirappil is a reporter for the Health & Science team who covers public health, infectious diseases and LGBTQ issues. He previously covered local politics. follow on X @FenitN

By Dan Diamond
Dan Diamond is a national health reporter for The Washington Post. He joined The Post in 2021 after five years at Politico, where he won a George Polk award for investigating the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic.follow on X @ddiamond

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/11/22/florida-fluoride-water-rfk-jr-surgeon-general/