Robert F. Kennedy Jr. want fluoride gone. Does Indiana have it in print?

On November 7, 2024By Littum

If Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has something to say about it, Americans will drink far less fluoride in their tap water former President Donald Trump re-elected Tuesday. Kennedy, a former presidential candidate, has said Trump would try to remove fluoride from public water sources on his first day in office.

“On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all US water systems to remove fluoride from public water,” Kennedy said Saturday in a post on social media. He claimed without evidence that fluoride is linked to several medical conditions, despite several studies showing otherwise.

Here’s what Hoosiers should know about fluoride in Indiana’s drinking water.

What is fluoride?

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

Fluoride strengthens the teeth by hardening their outer surface or enamel. It is a common ingredient in oral hygiene and teeth cleaning products such as toothpastes, mouthwashes and varnishes used by dentists.

Why is fluoride added 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 showing it cuts cavities in children and adults by 25%.

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

Who else recommends fluoride in drinking water? Pediatricians

The American Association of Pediatrics also maintains that fluoride in drinking water and toothpaste is a safe means of increasing children’s oral health.

Dr. Charlotte W. Lewis, a member of the AAP’s Oral Health Section, said in a statement in September that she is confident in the “safety of optimally fluoridated water in the United States,” says the country’s health policy was based on a solid foundation of evidence.

Why do some people think fluoride is dangerous?

According to experts, fluoride can be dangerous, but it depends on the amount. Several studies published over the past year have raised concerns about the effects of large amounts of fluoride. This research gives ammunition to groups pushing to ban public water fluoridation.

A report published in August of the US Department of Health and Human Services found that drinking water containing more than 1.5 milligrams per liters of fluoride was “consistently associated with lower IQ in children.”

But the report — which evaluated studies conducted in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico — noted that the fluoride levels found to cause such risks were more than twice the amount U.S. officials recommend being added for public water systems.

Such high fluoride levels are found mostly in other countries and a small minority of American communities.

The report also did not specify how much the IQ level dropped or whether adults could also be affected.

What have other studies on fluoride said?

A study published in May also found that children in utero in “optimally fluoridated” areas of the United States may have an increased risk of neurobehavioral problems after birth.

The Department of Health and Human Services said the data was “insufficient” to determine whether the current recommended level of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liters of water also have an effect on IQ and that “more research is needed” to understand whether lower levels also have health effects.

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 rate of tooth decay in nearly 30,000 children in the city and found that the number of cavities fell more than 60% in 11 years, according to NIDCR.

The story continues after the photo gallery.

How many Americans are currently drinking water treated with fluoride?

As of 2022, the community water systems of more than 209 million Americans, or 72% of the population, are fluoridated, According to the CDC. Another 11.6 million people drink from water systems that naturally contain a high enough level of the chemical to provide dental health benefits.

How much fluoride should be in water?

The US Public Health Service currently recommend a fluoride level of 0.7 milligrams per liters of water to maximize oral health benefits while minimizing the risk of fluorosis, a condition triggered due to excessive fluoride intake, which is usually seen in young children.

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 polls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some state legislatures have introduced recent measures to change fluoridation rules.

Is there fluoride in Indiana tap water?

Yes, in Indiana most surface water and groundwater have a natural fluoride concentration of 0.1 – 0.2 milligrams per milliliter. according to the Indiana Department of Healthwhich estimates that 100,000 Hoosiers receive optimally fluoridated water from private wells.

The first three cities in Indiana to fluoridate their public water supplies were Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and Huntingburg, all in 1951.

Do all cities in Indiana add fluoride to their drinking water?

No, not all places in Indiana add fluoride to their drinking water. While nearly 300 Indiana public water supplies and 33 rural schools fluoridate, there are 84 Hoosier public water supplies that do not, according to the Indiana Department of Health.

In all, health officials say about 4.3 million Hoosiers receive optimally fluoridated water in Indiana.

Which public water utilities in Indiana do not add fluoride?

Indiana public water utilities serving more than 900 non-fluoridating customers, according to the Indiana Department of Health, include: Aberdeen-Pate Water Corporation, Akron, Arcadia, Bicknell, Cataract Lake Water Corporation, Cayuga, Crawford County Water Company, Dugger, Eaton , Everton Water Corporation, Farmersburg, Fayette Township Water Corporation, Jennings Water Inc., Jennings Northwest Regional Utility, Jonesboro, Linton, Lyford, Odon, Painted Hills, Paxton, Remington, Rossville, Shelburn, St. Paul, Switz City, Suburban Utilities-El Paco, Tri-Township Water Corporation, Troy, Van Bibber Lake, Waynetown and West Terre Haute.

What does it cost to fluoridate Indiana’s water?

According to the Indiana Department of Health, the average cost per per capita by fluoridating a public water supply $1 – $2 per year. The cost of just one dental filling is more than $50.

For every dollar spent on water fluoridation, $38 is saved in reduced dental care costs, According to the CDC.

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at JTuftsReports.