Florida Surgeon General advises against community water fluoridation, citing health risks for pregnant women, children

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Surgeon Common Joseph Ladapo has issued guidance against community water fluoridation, citing potential neuropsychiatric dangers related to fluoride publicity.

Ladapo, who additionally serves because the state’s Division of Well being Secretary, highlighted considerations about fluoride’s influence on youngsters and pregnant ladies in an announcement launched Friday.

In response to the steerage, systemic fluoride publicity may result in diminished IQ, cognitive impairments, consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD), and elevated neurobehavioral issues in youngsters whose moms consumed fluoride throughout being pregnant.

Further dangers talked about embrace potential thyroid suppression, skeletal fluorosis, and disruptions to sleep cycles as a result of fluoride accumulation within the pineal gland.

“The beforehand thought-about advantage of neighborhood water fluoridation doesn’t outweigh the present identified dangers, particularly for particular populations like pregnant ladies and youngsters,” Ladapo mentioned, calling for additional analysis on fluoride’s security and efficacy.

Group water fluoridation has been used for over 70 years to stop tooth decay and stays supported by main well being organizations, together with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association (ADA). The ADA emphasizes that fluoridation reduces tooth decay by at the least 25% throughout all age teams and stays a important public well being measure.

Ladapo’s steerage comes amid broader debates over water fluoridation, as many European international locations and a few municipalities within the U.S. transfer in the direction of discontinuing the observe. Florida’s Winter Haven metropolis commissioners not too long ago voted to take away fluoride from their water system by the tip of this 12 months.

Whereas fluoride is broadly accessible via toothpaste, mouthwashes, and dental therapies, specialists argue that water fluoridation gives equitable entry to oral well being advantages.

ADA President Linda Edgar reaffirmed the organization’s support in September, stating, “Oral well being shouldn’t be a luxurious; it’s important.”

Greater than 70% of Floridians on neighborhood water methods at the moment obtain fluoridated water, in response to self-reported state knowledge.

Information Service of Florida reported that Ladapo’s steerage mirrors suggestions made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Preisdent-elect Donald Trump nominated to guide the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies.