Utah bans fluoride in public drinking water, a first in the US
apnews.com
Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, despite widespread opposition from dentists and national health organizations. Republican Gov.

Summary

Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water after Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation prohibiting local decisions on fluoridation.

Cox cited cost and personal choice, likening fluoride to government “medication.”

The ban faces opposition from dentists and health experts, who argue fluoride prevents cavities and benefits low-income communities.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans receive fluoridated water. Some cities have already removed fluoride, and a recent court order requires the EPA to regulate high levels that may affect children’s intellectual development.

  • NIB@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    5 days ago

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation_by_country

    Plenty of countries have fluoride in their water. Ultimately, if you brush your teeth, it is a useless policy but if you dont brush your teeth, it helps a little and with 0 negative side effects.

    It is a policy that “my individual rights” crowd loves to shit on. Whether individual rights are more important than a minor effect to the health of a few individuals is debatable.

    • 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝙼𝚎𝚘𝚠@programming.devEnglish
      5·
      4 days ago

      it helps a little and with 0 negative side effects.

      Here in the Netherlands we stopped in 1976 because there was an increase in migraines, stomach- and bowel issues and depression ever since fluoride was added to the drinking water supply (+5%).

      Toothpaste still has it, but it’s cautioned against to use fluoride-enriched toothpaste for children due to studies suggesting a negative effect on brain development. But even with fluoride-enriched toothpaste the amount is being reduced because there appear to be more damaging effects that are lessened in lower dosages, and the health benefits are seemingly not impacted.

      • Tehdastehdas@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7·
        4 days ago

        … 21 of 23 recent epidemiological studies report an association between high fluoride exposure and reduced intelligence. The discrepancy between experimental and epidemiological evidence may be reconciled with deficiencies inherent in most of these epidemiological studies on a putative association between fluoride and intelligence, especially with respect to adequate consideration of potential confounding factors, e.g., socioeconomic status, residence, breast feeding, low birth weight, maternal intelligence, and exposure to other neurotoxic chemicals.

        https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-020-02725-2