A new report from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) has confirmed that exposure to high levels of fluoride is “consistently associated” with lower IQ in children, raising fresh concerns about the widespread use of fluoride in public water systems. Released on August 21, the report reviewed 72 studies, 64 of which found a clear link between high fluoride exposure and reduced cognitive abilities in children.
The report defined “high exposure” as fluoride concentrations above 1.5 mg/L, a standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the United States, the EPA allows up to 2 mg/L, though the FDA recommends a lower limit of 0.7 mg/L. The NTP estimates that nearly 2 million Americans receive water with fluoride levels exceeding the WHO’s threshold, potentially putting children at risk.
The report also touched on possible connections between fluoride exposure and other neurodevelopmental issues, although confidence in those findings was lower due to inconsistent results across studies. The research included studies from 10 countries, such as Canada and Mexico, but none from the United States.
The new findings have reignited the debate over water fluoridation, which has been credited with reducing tooth decay since it was introduced in 1945. However, critics argue that the potential risks to children’s cognitive development outweigh the benefits, especially as fluoride exposure can come from multiple sources like water, toothpaste, and processed foods.
Despite these concerns, the American Dental Association (ADA) continues to support water fluoridation as a safe and effective public health measure. The ADA has downplayed the significance of the NTP report, emphasizing that the research does not account for actual fluoride consumption levels in the United States.
As the conversation around fluoride’s safety continues, public health officials may face growing pressure to reconsider current fluoridation practices, particularly in communities with naturally high fluoride levels.
