Fluoride-IQ Study Spurs Debate in U.S. Policy

Recent research published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests a link between higher fluoride levels in drinking water and lower IQ scores in children. The study reviewed 74 previous studies and found that every 1 mg/L increase in urinary fluoride correlated with a 1.63 point drop in IQ. Critics argue that the study's findings may not apply to typical U.S. water fluoridation levels, which are lower than in the countries studied, such as China and India, where fluoride levels are significantly higher. The National Toxicology Program's report has led to legal and political debates, including President-elect Donald Trump's health secretary nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., advocating for the removal of fluoride from U.S. drinking water. Despite concerns, fluoride has been credited with substantial public health benefits, such as reducing dental cavities. However, the potential neurotoxic effects highlighted by the study have led to calls for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to re-evaluate fluoride regulations.