TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A bill banning fluoride in all water systems is moving forward in the state Senate amid pushbacks from health experts.
At least 10 municipalities in the state, including Lakeland and Winter Haven, have already voted to ban the use of fluoride in public waters.
If the bill passes, it could be that everyone in Florida would need to ban fluoride.
The bill prohibits additives in water that are not intended for water quality, including fluoride.
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Opponents of the idea believe that the decision should be left to the community, and some say the benefits of adding minerals to public water are clear.
“If fluoride is available, you can see that the cavity is 1-in-2 per child and one per grandma. If fluoride is not available, you will see an inch of cavities per tooth,” said Dr. John Paul, a dentist in Lakeland.
Fluoride has been added to drinking water for years to prevent tooth decay.
Recent concerns about potential health risks to children have led some to question practice.
“I really had no choice to decide if I was taking fluoride while pregnant and taking it. He couldn’t choose whether to drink it or not, and it could also pass the milk through him.”
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The statewide proposal said U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. will direct the CDC to stop nationwide fluorination recommendations.
Longtime fluoride critic Dr. Joseph Radapop believes the ban should move forward.
“It’s a public health medical malpractice that we have now to continue to add fluoride to Florida water systems,” he said.
If the bill is passed, fluoride will be banned statewide from July.
