Florida Governor Bans Water Fluoridation Across the State
- June 17, 2025
Story at-a-glance
- Florida became the second U.S. state to ban water fluoridation after Governor DeSantis signed legislation calling it "forced medication" without informed consent; the ban takes legal effect July 1, 2025 — that’s when public water systems must stop adding fluoride and state regulators can begin enforcement
- A National Toxicology Program review of 72 studies found consistent evidence that fluoride exposure lowers children's IQ scores and impairs cognitive development
- Multiple states including Ohio and Texas are considering similar bans while federal agencies reevaluate fluoride recommendations under new leadership
- Research links fluoride to thyroid dysfunction and neurological harm, with doses as low as 2 to 5 milligrams daily affecting hormone regulation
- Many European countries rejected water fluoridation decades ago; 98% of Western Europeans now drink non-fluoridated water
Florida just became the second U.S. state, after Utah, to ban fluoride in public drinking water. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law, ending a decades-old public health policy that once promised to protect teeth but now faces mounting criticism for threatening neurological and endocrine health. Roughly 63% of Americans currently drink fluoridated water, meaning millions could soon be reevaluating how safe their water really is — and what's really in it.1
Fluoride was added to municipal water systems starting in 1945, based on the idea that ingesting small amounts could reduce cavities. But data now shows the risks outweigh the benefits, particularly for infants and children. Excess fluoride has been linked to thyroid suppression, lower IQ and neurodevelopmental disorders — issues that go far beyond cavities.
Countries across Europe have already moved away from fluoridation. The U.S. is lagging behind, clinging to outdated protocols while evidence mounts that mandatory exposure does more harm than good. As this movement grows, it's important to understand what's driving these bans and how the science supports them.
Florida's Fluoride Ban Draws National Attention
As The New York Times reported, on May 15, 2025, DeSantis signed legislation that bans the addition of fluoride to public water systems throughout the state of Florida.2 DeSantis referred to fluoridation as "forced medication," arguing that the public deserves the right to informed consent when it comes to what's added to their drinking water. This policy change echoes broader public resistance to public health mandates following COVID-era controversies.
The bill DeSantis signed on May 15, 2025 (SB 700, part of the "Florida Farm Bill") takes legal effect on July 1, 2025. That is the date when public water systems statewide must stop adding fluoride, and state regulators can begin issuing compliance orders and penalties.
• The law was introduced amid growing skepticism of government-run health interventions — This ban is part of a broader national movement fueled by leaders like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. secretary of health and human services, and Lee Zeldin, who leads the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Kennedy has publicly called for all U.S. states to eliminate fluoride from drinking water. DeSantis' position reflects this new wave of political health independence, where bodily autonomy has become a rallying cry in matters of public policy.
• There are safer, individualized alternatives — According to DeSantis, the issue isn't about whether fluoride helps teeth. It's about removing mandatory exposure through municipal water. This line of reasoning appeals to parents, caregivers and individuals who want more control over how and when fluoride enters their or their children's bodies.
• More states are considering similar bans, and federal policy could change — Ohio and Texas are now weighing their own anti-fluoride legislation.
Meanwhile, Zeldin announced that the EPA is reevaluating its fluoride recommendations, and Kennedy planned to tell the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop endorsing community water fluoridation altogether. These announcements suggest that what began as a state-level move could soon reshape federal policy.
My Open Letter to the American Dental Association (ADA)
In an open letter, I urged the ADA to discontinue supporting water fluoridation, based on research linking fluoride exposure to reduced IQ scores, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and thyroid dysfunction. I argued that emerging research no longer justifies this practice continued endorsement reflects outdated science, not best practices.
• Compelling evidence links fluoride to neurological and hormonal damage — Multiple modern studies, many of them high-quality human trials, show clear links between fluoride exposure and reduced intelligence in children. A systematic review in JAMA Pediatrics found that fluoride negatively impacts children's IQ, for instance.3
• Fluoride has negative effects on thyroid function — Fluoride was once used medically in the 1950s in both Europe and South America to lower thyroid hormone levels in people with overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism.
That usage relied on a daily fluoride dose as low as 2 to 5 milligrams (mg) — levels many people already consume today if they live in fluoridated regions.4 Even modest intake, over time, interferes with thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, energy and mood.
• Countries around the world have already rejected water fluoridation — About 98% of people living in Western Europe now drink non-fluoridated water. Nations including Germany, France, the Netherlands and Sweden have completely banned the practice. Instead, they rely on education, dietary improvements and fluoride-free oral hygiene products to support dental health without risking neurological harm.
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Download PDFLargest Review yet Confirms Fluoride Lowers IQ in Children
Published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) in August 2024, an extensive review assessed 72 studies that investigated the link between fluoride exposure and children's intelligence levels. It also included animal and mechanistic studies to better understand how fluoride impairs cognition. The review found consistent evidence of harm, particularly in children exposed to higher levels of fluoride through drinking water or other environmental sources.5
• Researchers found strong evidence of lower IQ scores in fluoride-exposed children — Eighteen of the 19 highest-quality studies showed that children exposed to elevated fluoride levels scored lower on IQ tests.
These results held across different countries, cultures and types of study design, which adds weight to their validity. The review specifically highlighted three prospective cohort studies, which also found significant negative effects on children's cognitive development.
• The higher the fluoride, the worse the cognitive outcomes — The researchers found a clear pattern: as fluoride exposure increased, IQ scores decreased. Children living in areas with drinking water fluoride concentrations above 1.5 mg/L — the World Health Organization's maximum safe level — were consistently more likely to show lower intellectual performance.
• IQ risks apply even in the U.S. due to total fluoride exposure, not just water levels — The review emphasized that children in the U.S. often exceed "safe" fluoride levels even if their water supply meets federal guidelines. That's because fluoride doesn't just come from drinking water. It's also found in toothpaste, processed food, tea and other sources.
While most of the strongest evidence comes from high-exposure regions, the cumulative intake from multiple sources means that U.S. children, especially those in areas with natural fluoride over 1.5 mg/L, are not exempt from risk.
Simple Steps to Reduce Your Fluoride Exposure and Protect Your Brain
You don't need to wait for your state to pass a law to start protecting yourself and your family from fluoride. If you're concerned about how this chemical affects brain development, thyroid health or long-term cognitive performance, as the evidence clearly shows, you have real, practical options.
Whether you live in a fully fluoridated area or just want to eliminate unnecessary exposure, here's how to take control of what you and your children drink every day. These five steps will help you minimize fluoride in your water, food and dental products, while also supporting better overall health:
1. Switch to a fluoride-filtering water system at home — Fluoride isn’t easy to filter out. Common filters like Brita or PUR won’t do the job. Also, while reverse osmosis has been the standard for removing fluoride for years, it has significant drawbacks, such as wasting water and removing healthy minerals from the water.
Similarly, bone char technology requires the water to be acidic to work properly. So, be sure to install a high-quality filtration system designed to remove fluoride. If you can, consider a whole-house filtration system to catch fluoride at every point of use, including your kitchen sink, bathtub and shower.
2. Use fluoride-free toothpaste and dental products — Most mainstream toothpastes are loaded with fluoride. You're not just brushing your teeth with it, you're also absorbing it through your gums and swallowing trace amounts. That adds up over time. Look for fluoride-free toothpaste and skip the fluoride mouthwashes and gels altogether. The cavity protection you're looking for comes from mechanical brushing, not chemical exposure.
3. Prepare infant formula with filtered water — If you're formula feeding your baby, this one's important. Tap water in fluoridated areas often contains levels high enough to affect a newborn's brain development.
Use only fluoride-free, filtered water, especially during those early developmental months. Breastfeeding is still the best option whenever possible, as breastmilk contains virtually no fluoride and supports healthier gut and immune system development.
4. Watch for hidden sources in your food and drinks — You might not realize that fluoride is also found in everyday items like black and green tea, processed chicken and canned soup. Tea leaves naturally absorb fluoride from the soil, and mechanical processing of poultry often leaves residues on the meat.
5. Stay informed and rethink the fluoride conversation — Most people were taught that fluoride is essential for healthy teeth, but the truth is, modern research is clear: swallowing fluoride exposes you to risks with no benefit. Use this as an opportunity to take back control. The more informed you are, the better choices you can make for your health and your family's future.
FAQs About Fluoride in Drinking Water
Q: Why did Florida ban fluoride in public water?
A: DeSantis signed a law banning fluoride in municipal water, calling it "forced medication" and emphasizing the right to informed consent. The decision aligns with a growing movement across the U.S. questioning the safety and necessity of water fluoridation, especially as studies now link it to neurological and thyroid harm.
Q: Is there scientific evidence that fluoride lowers IQ?
A: Yes. A 2024 report by the National Toxicology Program reviewed 72 studies and found that 18 of the 19 highest-quality studies showed fluoride exposure was consistently associated with lower IQ scores in children. The effect was seen even at levels close to or below what many Americans consume in fluoridated areas.
Q: Does fluoride affect thyroid function?
A: It does. Historically, fluoride was used therapeutically in Europe and South America to suppress thyroid activity in people with overactive thyroid conditions. Modern research confirms that daily intake of 2 to 5 mg, well within what many people consume, interferes with thyroid hormones involved in metabolism, energy and mood.
Q: What are safer ways to maintain good oral health without fluoride?
A: Brushing regularly with fluoride-free toothpaste, eating a nutrient-dense diet and staying hydrated with filtered, fluoride-free water are effective ways to support oral health without the risks tied to systemic fluoride exposure. Regular visits to a biological dentist are also important.
Q: How do I reduce my family's fluoride exposure?
A: Start by installing a water filtration system designed to remove fluoride. Use fluoride-free toothpaste and avoid using unfiltered tap water when preparing infant formula. Be aware that black and green teas, as well as some processed foods, also contain fluoride.
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