EPA Challenged on Fluoride in Drinking Water

A federal judge in California has mandated that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tighten regulations on fluoride in drinking water, citing the compound's potential risk to children at the levels commonly found nationwide.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco ruled in favor of several advocacy groups, concluding that the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water to prevent cavities poses unreasonable risks to the developing brains of children.

Judge Chen determined that the advocacy groups had demonstrated, during a non-jury trial, that fluoride presents an unreasonable risk that warrants regulatory action by the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

“The scientific evidence in the record shows a high level of certainty that fluoride presents a hazard, including its association with reduced IQ,” wrote Chen, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. However, he emphasized that his ruling did not definitively conclude that fluoridated water endangers public health.

The decision was praised by Food & Water Watch, an environmental group that led the coalition suing the EPA since 2017 after the agency rejected their citizen’s petition to ban fluoridation chemicals from public water supplies.

“The court’s historic decision marks a significant step toward improved and safer fluoride standards for everyone,” said Michael Connett, a lawyer representing the advocacy groups.

The EPA has stated that it is reviewing the ruling.

Fluoridation of water in the U.S. began in 1945, with recommended levels adjusted over time to minimize risks such as tooth damage. Currently, about 75% of the U.S. population—over 200 million people—receives fluoridated water at the advised level of 0.7 milligrams per liter.

Fluoride is added to community water supplies on a voluntary basis, and healthcare professionals, including doctors and dentists, recommend it as a measure to protect children’s teeth before they emerge. The U.S. approach differs from Europe, where fluoridation of drinking water is uncommon.

Fluoride Use in Canada:

Canada introduced fluoride into its drinking water supplies around the same time as the U.S., and fluoridation remains a common practice in many regions to prevent dental decay. However, the extent of fluoridation varies significantly across the country. Below is the percentage of the population with access to fluoridated water systems in each province and territory:

• Nunavut: 36,858 people; 27.7% with fluoridated systems
• Northwest Territories: 41,070 people; 68.6% with fluoridated systems
• Yukon: 40,232 people; 0.0% with fluoridated systems
• Overall in Canada: 36,991,981 people; 38.8% with fluoridated systems

These figures reflect the varying adoption rates of water fluoridation across Canada, with public health policies differing by region.