Hillsborough County commissioners are slated to deliberate on the contentious issue of whether to continue adding fluoride to the county's drinking water, with a meeting scheduled today. This discussion follows a move by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who recommended the cessation of fluoridation across the state, terming it as "public health malpractice," according to a report by WFLA. This stance aligns with sentiments from Commissioner Joshua Wostal, who in the fall, cited studies alluding to potential negative impacts on children's intelligence as justification for his concern.
Commissioners in Hillsborough have engaged in this debate as part, of a broader movement throughout Tampa Bay area municipalities. Several have considered or enacted similar bans following Ladapo's advice and research suggesting a link between fluoride in drinking water and lower IQs in children – the basis of Wostal's argument. He told FOX 13, "We're not going to risk lowering the IQ of children unwittingly because you, the EPA or Hillsborough County Government's water department, have no idea what other fluoride is being ingested by those children that might unwittingly jump them up to the known levels of lowering their IQ."
On the other side of the debate, proponents of fluoridation claim that the practice has significantly reduced tooth decay and saved billions in dental treatment costs. They argue that the studies cited by opponents refer to fluoride levels higher than those added to municipal water supplies. In a retort to the recent scrutiny, Dr. Steven Levy, a practicing dentist, defended the practice, stating, “The ongoing benefits of community water fluoridation at this time strongly outweigh the flawed analyses that are presented in this paper," as WFLA noted.
Stakeholder opinions notwithstanding, the Hillsborough commissioners face a difficult decision that involves balancing purported health risks with proven dental benefits. According to studies, the source and the amounts of fluoride exposure are critical, as excessive fluoride can have detrimental effects, while fluoride in toothpaste is at a higher concentration than that found in community water sources, Pediatric Dentist Dr. Maggie Davis told ABC Action News. Meanwhile, the National Toxicology Program states there is "insufficient data" on the specific 0.7 milligrams per liter recommendation in the U.S. and its effects on a child's IQ. With no concrete resolution, officials will continue to weigh these complex issues, as a decision looms on the future of fluoride in Hillsborough County's water.
