Florida Set to Prohibit Fluoride in Public Water Supplies

A legislative proposal that would eliminate fluoride from public drinking water in Florida is awaiting the governor's approval.

Recently passed legislation in Florida could potentially remove fluoride from the state's water sources.

The bill now sits with Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who must decide whether to approve it. A signature would make Florida the second state in the nation to outlaw fluoride in public water systems.

Governor DeSantis has referred to the addition of fluoride as a form of involuntary medication. His office has not disclosed whether he will endorse the legislation.

For decades, various states in the U.S. have incorporated small quantities of fluoride into their water, a practice experts credit with significantly reducing dental cavities.

On Tuesday, Florida's Republican-majority House of Representatives passed the fluoride measure as an aspect of a comprehensive farm-related legislative package. The state's Senate approved the prohibition earlier this month. This legislation indirectly targets fluoride by banning municipal entities from adding certain chemicals to improve water quality.

Within Governor DeSantis' administration, leading figures have endorsed the idea of banning fluoride. State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has labeled water fluoridation unfavorably, as reported by WUSF.

Previously, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., currently serving as the Health and Human Services Secretary, misunderstood fluoride, describing it as a waste product from industries and suggested the federal government might advocate its removal from drinking water.

Kennedy, who supports numerous debunked health theories, has attributed various health issues — such as arthritis, fractures, cancer, decreased IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, and thyroid conditions — to fluoride in water.

Yet healthcare providers, including dental professionals, maintain that regulated fluoride use is vital for preventing dental decay, with limited associated health risks.

The practice of water fluoridation is deemed one of the significant advancements of the last century, parallel to vaccines and seatbelts, according to the CDC.

Earlier this month, under HHS leadership, an initiative was launched to reconvoke a panel of experts to assess the health implications of fluoride presence in water.

Global Context and Implications

Elsewhere, debates on fluoride use have also been pronounced. For example, Calgary in Canada removed fluoride from its water in 2011. However, public health concerns led to reconsidering this decision, especially among the city's younger population.

If enacted, Florida's prohibition on fluoride will be effective starting July 1.