RFK Jr. says fluoride is 'an industrial waste' linked to cancer, diseases and disorders. Here's what the science says
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. waded into another scientific debate on Saturday by saying Donald Trump’s administration would advise that fluoride be removed from the country’s water supplies if the former president wins Tuesday’s presidential election. Here’s what health experts are weighing as the public health practice of adding fluoride to America’s water supply comes under increased scrutiny.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. waded into another scientific debate on Saturday by saying Donald Trump’s administration would advise that fluoride be removed from the country’s water supplies if the former president wins Tuesday’s presidential election.
Trump has suggested that Kennedy, who was an environmental lawyer before entering politics, would oversee a health portfolio in his next administration.
At a campaign rally in New York last week, Trump said he would let Kennedy “go wild on health,” “go wild on the food” and “go wild on medicines.” At a rally in Michigan on Friday, Trump said Kennedy would “have a big role in health care” and has “some views that I happen to agree with very strongly.”
Here’s what health experts are weighing as the public health practice of adding fluoride to America’s water supply comes under increased scrutiny.
Fluoride is found naturally in the environment in water and rocks, as well as in some foods. The mineral can also be a byproduct of some industry, according to the CDC.
A federal judge in September ordered the US Environmental Protection Agency to take additional measures to regulate fluoride in drinking water because of a possible risk that higher levels of the mineral could affect children’s intellectual development.
U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ruled that while it’s not clear whether the amount of fluoride typically added to water is causing a drop in IQ in kids, there’s enough risk to warrant investigation and that the EPA needs to take further action in regulating it. The ruling did not state what actions the EPA needs to take and the agency is currently reviewing the decision.
