Utah is boldly stepping forward as the first state to ban fluoride in drinking water, a move advocated for by newly-confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
At a glance:
• Utah will be the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water systems
• Governor Spencer Cox plans to sign legislation preventing fluoridation despite opposition from dental groups
• Recent studies suggest possible links between fluoride exposure and decreased IQ in children
• The American Dental Association warns removing fluoride could increase cavities by 25%
• A 2019 fluoride pump malfunction in Sandy, Utah helped fuel local opposition to water fluoridation
Utah Leads Fight Against Government-Mandated Fluoridation
Utah is set to make history as Republican Governor Spencer Cox pledged to sign legislation that would prohibit cities and communities from adding fluoride to public water systems. This landmark decision positions Utah as the first state to implement such a ban, challenging decades of what many conservatives view as government overreach in public health policy – and suggesting that other states might soon follow suit.
The move comes shortly after President Trump appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary – a man who has long expressed skepticism about water fluoridation practices in America. Kennedy has previously highlighted concerns about fluoride’s potential risks, aligning with growing conservative demands for greater personal choice in health decisions.
Governor Cox noted that many Utah communities already operate without fluoridated water with no dramatic health differences. “You would think you would see drastically different outcomes with half the state not getting it….We haven’t seen that,” Cox stated, challenging the necessity of the decades-old public health measure.
And he’s not wrong. There are plenty of countries in Europe that ban the practice – and they’re doing just fine.
Health Concerns Driving Policy Change
Recent scientific studies linking fluoride exposure to decreased IQ in children have strengthened the case for removing the chemical from public water supplies. These findings have bolstered arguments from conservatives who have long questioned the wisdom of mass medication through public utilities.
A 2019 incident in Sandy, Utah, where a fluoride pump malfunctioned and released excessive amounts into the water supply, created substantial public backlash. The event sickened residents and damaged plumbing systems, fueling growing skepticism about the safety protocols surrounding fluoridation practices.
Utah lawmakers have also cited the cost burden of fluoridation and emphasized that dental care should be an individual choice. They question why citizens should pay for a chemical added to water when fluoride is readily available in toothpaste and other dental products.
Get in, folks – we’re making America Healthy Again!
