Is fluoride in drinking water safe? What to know after RFK Jr.’s claims – USA TODAY

The truth about fluoride: Cavity fighter or health foe?

Fluoride – it’s added to the water systems of more than two thirds of Americans. It’s in dental products from toothpaste to mouth wash. It’s been the subject of long-running conspiracy theories.

And now, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says Donald Trump could try to take it out of water supplies nationwide if elected president.

Kennedy, who says he is in the running for a position in a second Trump administration, centered false claims about vaccines and other conspiracy theories in his failed presidential bid.

Kennedy also claims − without proof − that fluoride in U.S. water systems has been linked to a host of medical conditions.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a natural mineral. It is found in soil, air, food and water sources across the planet, although in different amounts depending on the place, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Fluoride strengthens teeth by hardening their outer surface, or enamel. It’s a common ingredient in oral health and teeth cleaning products such as toothpastes, mouth rinses and varnishes used by dentists.

Why is fluoride adding to drinking water?

The American Dental Association says adding fluoride to water streams is a “safe, beneficial, and cost-effective” public health measure, citing studies that it cuts cavities in children and adults by 25%.

“Decades of research and practical experience indicate that fluoride is safe and beneficial to oral health,” Linda Edgar, president of the American Dental Association, said in a statement released in August.

Is fluoride dangerous?

Several studies published over the last year have raised concerns about the effects of fluoride in large quantities and given ammunition to groups who are pushing to ban public water fluoridation in some communities.

A report released in August by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that drinking water containing more than 1.5 milligrams per liter was “consistently associated with lower IQ in children.”

How long has fluoride been added to tap water?

Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city to have fluoride added to its water systems in 1945. Over the next 15 years, scientists monitored the tooth decay rate in almost 30,000 children in the city, and they found that the rate of dental cavities dropped more than 60% in 11 years, according to the NIDCR.

Are state water systems required to add fluoride?

No, state water systems are not federally mandated to fluoridate their water.

State and local governments implement their own fluoridation levels, sometimes determined by voters at the ballot box, according to the CDC.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.

Analysis

The article discusses the controversy surrounding the addition of fluoride to water supplies and its potential health effects. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article addresses the potential health effects of fluoride in water supplies, which is relevant to SDG 3. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article mentions the potential link between fluoride and medical conditions, such as arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease. These conditions are related to non-communicable diseases, which are the focus of Target 3.4.

The indicator mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards this target is Indicator 3.4.2, which is the suicide mortality rate. While the article does not directly mention this indicator, it discusses the potential negative effects of fluoride on mental health and well-being, which can contribute to increased suicide rates.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The article also discusses the addition of fluoride to water supplies, which is relevant to SDG 6. The specific target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 6.1, which aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The article mentions that fluoride is added to water systems in the United States, affecting more than two-thirds of Americans. This highlights the issue of access to safe drinking water.

The indicator mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards this target is Indicator 6.1.1, which is the proportion of the population using safely managed drinking water services. The article mentions that the community water systems of more than 209 million Americans, 72% of the population, are fluoridated. This indicates that a significant proportion of the population has access to water with added fluoride.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: usatoday.com