Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new law banning the addition of fluoride and other chemical substances to drinking water. This move makes Florida the second U.S. state, after Utah, to impose such a restriction.
According to international media reports, the law was passed by state lawmakers last month, despite concerns raised by public health and medical experts. They warned that eliminating fluoride from drinking water could lead to an increase in dental issues and cavities, especially among children.
Under the new law, only substances that do not pose any harm to human health can be used to purify water. Current state data indicates that more than 70% of Florida’s population consumes water that contains added fluoride.
Commenting on the decision, Governor DeSantis said that while personal use of fluoride for dental health is acceptable, adding it to public water supplies is equivalent to forcing medication on people.
This decision aligns with guidance issued in November by Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who advised discontinuing the use of fluoride in community water supplies due to potential health risks.
It is worth noting that fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, and for decades, global health organizations and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have supported the controlled addition of fluoride to drinking water as an effective way to prevent dental diseases.
