Rusted lead pipes – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by mvdesign
Due to the worries of public health advocates and dentists who believe fluoride is a safe and effective approach to prevent cavities in people of all ages, Florida is on the verge of becoming the second state to outlaw the mineral in public drinking water.
After Utah became the first state to enact a ban last month, lawmakers in Florida granted the bill their final approval on Tuesday. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pushing for the federal to discontinue fluoridating water, and the Republican-led states are following suit.
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, whose administration has opposed fluoridating community water systems on the grounds that high amounts could endanger children’s intellectual development, will now consider the Florida legislation.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fluoride strengthens teeth by replenishing minerals lost during natural wear and tear. Adding small amounts of fluoride to drinking water is regarded as one of the most significant advancements in public health during the past century.
In a statement earlier this month, Brett Kessler, president of the American Dental Association, stated, “As dentists, we see the direct consequences of fluoride removal on our patients, and it’s a real tragedy when policymakers’ decisions hurt vulnerable kids and adults in the long term.” “It hurts people, costs money, and will eventually hurt our economy to blindly call for a ban on fluoridated water.”
Although fluoride isn’t included in Florida’s measure precisely, Republican state representative Kaylee Tuck, the bill’s sponsor, stated that the mineral and a few other chemicals must be eliminated from all water sources in the state.
“We’re not touching anything that has to do with water quality, eliminating pollutants, or anything like that,” Tuck stated. “It’s anything related to health.” Thus, vitamins, fluoride, or whatever else it is.
Prior to state politicians’ efforts to outlaw fluoride, several local governments in Florida have already decided to remove the mineral from their communal water systems.
On Tuesday, Daniella Levine Cava, the mayor of Miami-Dade County, expressed her “deep disappointment” over the bill’s passing, saying it ignores “the overwhelming consensus of dentists, doctors, and medical experts and will end a practice that has been in place for decades to protect our health.”
Ending fluoridation, a safe and affordable method of preventing dental decay, will have “long-lasting health consequences, especially for our most vulnerable families,” according to Levine Cava.
Local communities should make the decision, according to the mayor.
According to a 2022 CDC research, almost one-third of community water systems, which serve over 60 percent of the U.S. population, fluoridated their water.
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Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
