RFK Jr. advocates for the elimination of fluoride from drinking water, inciting controversy.

The second non-consecutive term of former President Trump has already prompted his advisors to plan new initiatives for the administration.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to have a significant impact on public health and has stated that on January 20th, the Trump administration will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.

He stated that fluoride, being an industrial waste, is linked to arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.

Some health professionals and expert groups have opposed RFK's comments, arguing that fluoride should continue to be added to drinking water.

Here’s what to know about the controversy.

Why is fluoride added to water?

The EPA informed Planet Chronicle Digital that fluoride, which can naturally occur in water and is often added by drinking water systems to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay, particularly in children.

The CDC reports that fluoridated water strengthens teeth and decreases cavities by 25% in both children and adults.

The EPA, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, establishes guidelines for fluoride levels to safeguard children's bone and tooth health.

According to the CDC, the ideal fluoride concentration in drinking water is 0.7 milligrams per liter, which is equivalent to about three drops in a 55-gallon barrel.

According to the source, about 209 million Americans receive fluoridated water from community systems.

In 1945, communities began adding fluoride to their water supply, with Grand Rapids, Michigan, being the first city to do so. This action, according to the CDC, was one of the largest public health interventions of the 20th century.

Potentially harmful effects

Over 240 communities worldwide have opted not to fluoridate their drinking water, according to reports.

A Cochrane Reviews review revealed that adding minerals to water may provide only a minor advantage in preventing tooth decay, as most people already brush with fluoride-containing toothpaste.

Some evidence suggests that fluoridated water may increase the likelihood of dental fluorosis, which can manifest as white spots or a lacy appearance on the teeth.

In 2015, the recommended amount of fluoride in drinking water was decreased by government officials due to white splotches on children's teeth, as reported earlier.

Research also shows that fluoride exposure can harm a fetus during pregnancy.

Numerous studies in North America have linked chronic, low-level prenatal fluoride exposure with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in terms of intellectual functioning, attention, executive function, and neurobehavior, according to Ashley Malin, PhD, who shared this information with Planet Chronicle Digital in an email.

An assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, Malin studies the potential effects of fluoride on brain development.

Earlier this year, a review by the National Institutes of Health's toxicology program revealed that consuming water with twice the recommended fluoride levels is linked to lower IQ in children.

"Demineralization is natural due to our daily habits and food/drink consumption, and fluoride … helps tip the scale toward remineralization."

The American Academy of Pediatrics and other associations have raised concerns about the study's methodology, stating that there was not enough data to determine if the recommended fluoride levels in water (0.7 milligrams per liter) negatively impacted children's IQs.

Experts urge healthy habits

Despite anecdotal reports suggesting that fluoridated water can lead to health problems such as bone cancer, arthritis, and kidney disease, research studies have not provided conclusive evidence to support these claims, according to Healthline.

Some experts argue that the existing evidence is insufficient to alter the recommendations regarding fluoride.

Dr. Tien Jiang, assistant professor of oral health policy and epidemiology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, stated that the idea of tooth remineralization is still central to the debate surrounding fluoride, as he discussed this topic with Planet Chronicle Digital.

"The loss of minerals through daily habits and food/drink consumption is natural, but fluoride and other minerals can help promote remineralization."

People should be cautious about their home maintenance, eating habits, and regular dental check-ups, as advised by Jiang.

"To me, the focus is sometimes misplaced," she said.

"By focusing on better brushing, flossing, eating, and drinking habits, we could prevent most dental diseases, regardless of fluoride levels."

EPA ordered to take action

In late September, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ruled that the EPA should enact further regulations on fluoride in drinking water due to potential health risks, as reported by the AP.

The EPA is currently assessing the district court's verdict, as stated in a Planet Chronicle Digital press release.

For more Health articles, visit planetchronicle.net/health

The court has not definitively determined that fluoridated water is harmful to public health, and has deferred to the EPA's expertise in evaluating and regulating fluoride appropriately.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to RFK Jr.'s representatives for comment.