A federal judge has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address the potential effects of fluoride in drinking water on IQ levels.
In a new ruling this week, Judge Edward Chen, an Obama appointee, ordered the EPA to take regulatory action on the issue.
Chen wrote that the “predominance of evidence” shows there are “unjustified risks” from fluoride in drinking water.
Specifically, he wrote that the scientific record is “well-documented” that the U.S. population is at risk for a loss of four or more IQ points from exposure to fluoride.
Fluoride is intentionally added to drinking water to prevent tooth decay. Approximately 200 million Americans drink fluoridated water.
The health effects of this substance are the subject of considerable debate.
Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program Found In August, a study suggested that higher levels of fluoride exposure are associated with lower IQs in children.
However, in response to the report, the American Academy of Pediatrics I watched from the sidelines. Adding fluoride to water and toothpaste is recommended.
In May, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “The expert panel found no compelling scientific evidence linking community water fluoridation with any potential adverse health effects, including lower intelligence,” he said in a statement.
In his decision, Judge Cheng said a finding of unreasonable risk “does not result in a conclusion with certainty that fluoridated water is harmful to public health. Rather, the Court finds that there is an unreasonable risk of such harm.”
The risk, he wrote, is “sufficient to require EPA to undertake a regulatory response,” but does not dictate what the consequences of EPA's actions will be.
An EPA spokesman said the agency is reviewing the decision but declined to comment further.
