On September 24, 2024, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ruled that the amount of fluoride in drinking water poses an unreasonable risk to children. The judge ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must take steps to mitigate this risk.

This ruling follows a National Toxicology Program report linking fluoride in drinking water at twice the recommended limit is linked with lower IQ in children. He concluded that while the research cannot say for certain that water fluoridation causes lower IQ in children, it presents an unreasonable risk to children’s developing brains. 

As a result, stronger regulations must be established. This marks the first time a federal judge has made a determination about the risks to children from the recommended U.S. water fluoride level.

Currently, the EPA has established the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for fluoride at 4 parts per million (ppm), with a secondary standard of no more than 2 ppm to protect children from fluorosis. Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends the optimal level of fluoride in water is no higher than 0.7 ppm.

Under the new ruling, the 0.7 ppm level is no longer optimal. This level of fluoride exposure is still a risk of reduced IQ in children, which is sufficient to require a regulatory response by the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

The ruling did not determine what measures should be taken or set a timeline for implementation. As of now, the EPA has two options: appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit or develop regulations for water fluoridation, but there’s no clear date for when new rules will take effect.

As a result, stronger regulations must be established. This marks the first time a federal judge has made a determination about the risks to children from the recommended U.S. water fluoride level.

Over the past two decades, studies have suggested a link between fluoride exposure and brain development, raising concerns about its impact on pregnant women, developing fetuses, and young children.

Scientists and experts at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) estimate that at least 20% of babies under 2 years old will end up ingesting too much fluoride, especially those that are exclusively fed powdered baby formula mixed with tap water. The National Toxicology Program report suggested that children with high fluoride exposure had IQ 2-5 points lower than those with low exposure. 

Other health risks associated with fluoride include:

• Dental or skeletal fluorosis: which can result in osteosclerosis, the calcification of tendons and ligaments, and bone deformities. The EWG estimates that 40% of Americans struggle with some form of fluorosis, ranging from mild to severe. 

• Thyroid dysfunction: potentially result in hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive and doesn’t produce enough hormones.

• Bone health issues: depletion of calcium in bone structures and increasing concentrations of calcium in the blood, making bones more susceptible to fractures.

• Cardiovascular problems: arteriosclerosis and arterial calcification, high blood pressure, myocardial damage, cardiac insufficiency, and heart failure.

Reproductive issues: lower fertility and early puberty in girls.

While it is uncertain how the EPA will respond to this ruling,  it may take years before water fluoridation is addressed and reduced to safe levels in drinking water. In the meantime, an advanced water filtration system is the best way to protect you and your loved ones from fluoride exposure.

Our Filtered Water Pitcher can remove up to 99.5% of fluoride – including its different compounds – so that you are in complete control of your fluoride consumption. Every Clearly Filtered filtration system is powered by our proprietary Affinity® Filtration Technology, which uses a blend of 6 filtration media to capture contaminants at microscopic levels. 

Visit our Lab Test Results page to view our performance data and get your pitcher today for proven protection against fluoride.