CNN and other legacy media outlets finally acknowledged what many health experts have said for years — that water fluoridation at U.S. levels is association with numerous health issues.
Now, a recent review by the National Institutes of Health, published in JAMA Pediatrics, confirms findings from an August 2024 U.S. government report linking high fluoride levels in drinking water to reduced IQ in children. The study, conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) over nine years, analyzed 74 studies—the largest meta-analysis on fluoride’s health effects to date.
Key Findings:
– Fluoride Threshold: Fluoride concentrations above 1.5 mg/L were associated with reduced intelligence in children, while levels below this threshold, such as the U.S. standard of 0.7 mg/L, showed no such effect.
– Dose-Response Relationship: 31 studies revealed a pattern where increasing fluoride levels led to further IQ declines.
– Urinary Fluoride: An increase of 1 mg/L in urinary fluoride correlated with a drop of 1.14 to 1.63 IQ points on average.
Mechanism and Risks:
Fluoride crosses the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in areas of the brain tied to cognition and memory, though its precise effects remain unclear. Water fluoridation is a major source of fluoride intake in the U.S., contributing 40% to 70% of total exposure. Beverages made with fluoridated water, such as soft drinks and juices, further increase fluoride ingestion.
Broader Implications:
The World Health Organization considers 1.5 mg/L the safe upper limit for fluoride in drinking water, aligning with NTP findings. However, nearly 3 million Americans are exposed to higher levels, primarily through well and community water systems, underscoring the need for updated safety regulations.
Why Should This Matter to Arkansans?
A bill was recently filed in the Arkansas legislature for the upcoming session that would repeal the requirement for fluoride in the state’s drinking water.
Senate Bill 2 would repeal Arkansas Code § 20-7-136 that mandates the use of fluoride and places the Department of Health in charge of setting limits. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Clint Penzo (R-Springdale) and Sen. Bryan King (R-Green Forest), with cosponsors Rep. Matt Duffield (R-Russellville) and Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-Knoxville).
A second bill, SB4, introduced later in the day by the same four sponsors, proposes giving voters the option to approve or reject fluoridation in their public water systems. The decision to hold a vote can be initiated either through a voter petition or by community officials, such as the local water board’s board of directors.
Senator Penzo told Conduit News that if SB2 and SB4 passed, it would provide local control and enables communities to decide if they want to fluoridate their water supply. “The FDA classifies Fluoride as a regulated drug. Arkansas currently mandates that this drug be added to water supplies of districts serving over 5,000 residents. A previously delayed and censored report from the U.S. National Toxicology Program found ‘moderate confidence’ that fluoride exposure is ‘consistently associated with lower IQ in children.
In a Harvard meta-analysis studying the impact of fluoride on the neurological development of children, Professor Grandjean is quoted stating ‘Fluoride seems to fit in with lead, mercury, and other poisons that cause chemical brain drain.’
My constituents want and deserve the ability to determine their families’ exposure to this neurotoxic chemical. No drug should be forced on the people of Arkansas.”
If you want local control to return to your community regarding fluoridation, contact your Senator and Representative in your district and ask them to support SB2 and SB4.
