House Bill 81 was approved by the Utah State Senate Friday. If signed by the governor the bill becomes law on May 7, 2025.
Utah set to become first state to ban fluoride in public water systems
Utah is set to become the first state to ban fluoride in public water systems, with a bill on the matter awaiting the governor’s approval.
Straight Arrow News
Utah could soon become the first state to ban the mineral fluoride in public drinking water, according to legislation in the state.
House Bill, 81 introduced by Rep. Stephanie Gricius and Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore, both Republicans, was approved by the Utah State Senate on Friday.
The bill addresses provisions related to water fluoridation and prescription fluoride supplements. In addition to prohibiting adding fluoride to public water systems, the bill also:
If signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox, the bill would become law in May.
has reached out to Cox’s office.
Report: High levels of fluoride in other countries linked to lower IQs in children
The bill’s approval comes after a federal report in August linked high levels of fluoride in other countries to lower IQs in children, adding new evidence in the debate over adding fluoride to public drinking water systems.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicity Program report evaluated a collection of studies on populations in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico.
This data does not include the U.S., whose drinking water does not usually have high levels of fluoride in it. In the U.S. fluoride levels are regulated and monitored.
The review examined total fluoride exposure from all sources, so it did not solely measure health effects of drinking fluoridated water. But experts previously told they expected it would likely generate debate among anti-fluoride groups pushing for ballot measures to ban fluoride in water in local communities.
Drinking water with more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter was “consistently associated with lower IQ in children,” the report said. It did not say how much IQ might be lowered in children who drink water with fluoride levels that exceed that amount. The report also did not say whether adults could be affected by high levels of fluoride.
Some health agencies say there are benefits to fluoride in water
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named public water fluoridation one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th Century. The practice of adding small amounts of fluoride to public drinking water to strengthen teeth is endorsed by the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The organizations point to research that found fluoridated water reduces tooth decay by 25% in children and adults.
How much fluoride is safe in public water?
The U.S. Public Health Service recommends public water systems contain a fluoride level of .7 milligrams per liter of water. The World Health Organization’s recommended limit for fluoride in drinking water in 1.5 milligrams per liter.
Federal public health agencies recommend public water systems be calibrated to less than half the fluoride levels which this research links to lower IQ in children.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for . Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
