Complete
Log In/ Sign Up

Fluoride in Drinking Water - Risk Assessment & Policy Implications

Recent federal court decision on fluoride in drinking water represents a landmark ruling with significant implications for public health, regulatory processes, and future chemical assessments

Login/Register View Results
A landmark United States court ruling has determined that fluoride in drinking water—at levels currently recommended for cavity prevention (0.7 mg/L)—"poses an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children." This ruling stemmed from a citizen petition under the US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate a regulatory response. As the first successful challenge of this kind, the decision sets a significant precedent for how scientific evidence is evaluated in regulatory decision-making. While this is a US ruling, it raises broader questions about fluoridation practices worldwide, chemical risk assessment methods, and the balance between established dental health benefits and potential neurodevelopmental risks.

You can read an article from E&E News on the ruling here. 

General

SciPoll 687 Feed

  • Result 6605 user-528546

    11/21/2024 21:44

    It is essential to regularly evaluate fluoride concentrations in drinking water in light of the most recent scientific findings. The article is seems to be good for the general public.

  • Result 6605 user-850429

    11/20/2024 12:21

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts on water fluoridation in the community. It is indeed important to constantly reassess fluoride levels in drinking water based on the latest scientific evidence. While community water fluoridation has been established as an effective way to reduce tooth decay, emerging research highlights the potential dangers of fluoride exposure, particularly in the root canal development and bone health
    The finding that even some countries without water fluoride saw a reduction in tooth decay suggests that other measures, such as improved dental hygiene practices and access to dental care, can make a significant contribution to oral health.

  • Result 6605 user-449730

    11/13/2024 12:05

    Yes, the public drinking water in my region is fluoridated. To be honest, I would like the dose of water fluoridation in my region to be reviewed according to current knowledge. Because although water fluoridation is beneficial for dental health, it has been observed that tooth decay is reduced in countries without water fluoridation. In addition, water fluoridation can be toxic to both brain development and bone tissue. Therefore we can learn about the lowest dose at which fluoride can be toxic to the developing brain by researching animal experiments