The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been ordered by a federal judge in California to tighten laws regarding fluoride in drinking water. The judge claims that at levels that are now normal across the country, fluoride creates an excessive danger to children.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco sided with a number of advocacy groups, concluding that the practice of fluoridating drinking water supplies in an effort to prevent cavities poses unjustified dangers to the growing brains of children.
According to Chen, the advocacy organizations proved in a non-jury trial that fluoride presented an unjustifiable risk of damage high enough for the EPA to have to take regulatory action under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Chen, a Democrat appointed by former President Barack Obama, stated, “The scientific literature in the record provides a high level of certainty that a hazard is present; fluoride is associated with reduced IQ.”
However, the court emphasized that he was not determining that the public’s health was harmed by fluoridated water.
Food & Water Watch, an environmental nonprofit that spearheaded a coalition of groups that sued the EPA in 2017, applauded the verdict. Their so-called citizen’s petition, which asked the EPA to take into consideration outlawing fluoride chemicals in public drinking water, had been rejected.
Michael Connett, an attorney for the advocacy organizations, stated in a statement on Wednesday that “the court’s historic decision should help pave the way towards better and safer fluoride standards for everyone.”
The EPA declared that it was examining the ruling. Although the recommended amounts have since been adjusted to address the possibility for tooth damage and other concerns, fluoridation of water has been a part of American culture since 1945.
At approved levels of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, fluoride is presently added to the drinking water of over 200 million Americans, or around 75% of the population.
Water in communities is voluntarily treated with fluoride. Because it can help shield children’s teeth that haven’t yet burst through the gums, doctors and dentists advise it. Compared to Europe, where fluoridated drinking water is uncommon, American practice is different.
