State Set to Be First in Nation to Ban Fluoride in Public Drinking Water

Utah is set to become the first state in America to ban fluoride in public drinking water, igniting debates between personal freedom advocates and health professionals concerned about potential increases in tooth decay.

Key Takeaways

Governor Spencer Cox will sign legislation preventing Utah cities from adding fluoride to public water systems.
Community water fluoridation prevents approximately 25% of tooth decay, according to government research.
The American Dental Association warns the ban could lead to increased cavities, particularly affecting low-income residents.
Water districts anticipate saving between $250,000-$300,000 annually after initial removal costs.
Some water workers have reportedly experienced health issues from handling fluorosilicic acid, the form of fluoride added to water.

Utah Leads Nation in Fluoride Removal

Utah is preparing to implement unprecedented state legislation banning fluoride in public water systems, with Governor Spencer Cox confirming he will sign the bill into law. The measure directly contradicts decades of public health policy that has deemed water fluoridation one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Currently, over 200 million Americans receive fluoridated water, which the American Dental Association and numerous health organizations credit with significantly reducing tooth decay rates across the population.

The legislation follows the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as federal health secretary, who has expressed skepticism about water fluoridation. Utah lawmakers supporting the ban argue that fluoridation is costly and should remain an individual choice rather than a government mandate. Governor Cox has acknowledged his relatively neutral stance on the issue, noting that many Utah communities, including his hometown, don’t have fluoridated water.

Health Professionals Sound Alarm

Dental and public health organizations have voiced strong opposition to Utah’s decision. Research indicates that community water fluoridation prevents approximately 25% of tooth decay cases and provides protection regardless of age, income, or access to dental care. The American Dental Association has been particularly vocal about the potential consequences of removing this preventive measure, especially for vulnerable populations who may not have regular access to dental services.

The Utah Dental Association has warned that the ban could disproportionately impact low-income residents who cannot afford regular dental care or fluoride treatments. Dentists have observed fewer cavities in patients from areas with fluoridated water compared to those without it. Despite these concerns, Utah already ranks low nationally for fluoridated water coverage, with only 66 out of 484 water systems currently adding fluoride to their supply.

Economic and Safety Considerations

Water districts throughout Utah are preparing for the fluoride removal process, which involves cleaning facilities and safely disposing of fluorosilicic acid, the hazardous form of fluoride added to water systems. The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District must remove several thousand gallons of fluoride from distribution stations in Davis County alone. Officials estimate eventual annual savings between $250,000 to $300,000 after initial removal costs, with minimal impact on individual household water bills.

Some water district workers have welcomed the change, reporting health issues like severe migraines from exposure to fluorosilicic acid during their work. A 2019 incident in Sandy, Utah, where a fluoride pump malfunctioned and released excessive amounts into the water supply, has fueled local opposition to fluoridation. The National Institutes of Health maintains that toxic fluoride levels in water are rare while acknowledging that some cities have removed fluoride due to concerns about high levels potentially affecting intellectual development.