Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants fluoride to disappear. Does Indiana have it in stock?

If Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has anything to say, Americans will drink far less fluoride in their tap water if former President Donald Trump is re-elected on Tuesday. Kennedy, a former presidential candidate, said Trump would seek to remove fluoride from public water sources on his first day in office.

“On January 20th, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water,” Kennedy said in a social media post on Saturday. He claimed without evidence that fluoride was linked to several diseases, even though several studies showed the opposite.

Here's what Hoosiers should know about fluoride in Indiana's drinking water.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a natural mineral. It is found in varying amounts in soil, air, food and water sources around the world depending on location, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Fluoride strengthens teeth by hardening their outer surface, the enamel. It is a common ingredient in oral health and teeth cleaning products such as toothpastes, mouthwashes and varnishes used by dentists.

Why is fluoride added to drinking water?

The American Dental Association says adding fluoride to water streams is a “safe, beneficial and cost-effective” public health measure, citing studies that show it reduces tooth decay in children and adults by 25%.

“Decades of research and practical experience show that fluoride is safe and beneficial for oral health,” said Dr. Linda Edgar, president of the American Dental Association, in a statement released in August.

Who else recommends fluoride in drinking water? Pediatricians

The American Association of Pediatrics also claims that fluoride in drinking water and toothpaste is a safe way to improve children's oral health.

Dr. Charlotte W. Lewis, a member of the AAP's oral health division, said in a statement in September that she was confident in the “safety of optimally fluoridated water in the United States” and said the country's health policy is based on a solid basis of evidence.

Why do some people think fluoride is dangerous?

According to experts, fluoride can be dangerous, but it depends on the amount. Several studies published last year have raised concerns about the effects of large amounts of fluoride. This research provides ammunition for groups pushing for a ban on fluoridation of public waters.

A report released in August by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that drinking water with more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter “is consistently associated with lower intelligence quotients in children.”

But the report, which reviewed studies from Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico, found that the levels of fluoride that cause such risks were more than twice what U.S. officials recommended adding to public water systems.

Such high levels of fluoride are found primarily in other countries and in a tiny minority of U.S. communities.

The report also did not say how much the IQ score dropped or whether adults could also be affected.

What have other studies said about fluoride?

A study published in May also found that children in the womb in “optimally fluoridated” areas in the U.S. may be at increased risk of neurobehavioral problems after birth.

The Department of Health and Human Services said the data was “insufficient” to determine whether the current recommended level of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water also had an impact on IQ and that “more research is needed.” to understand whether lower levels also have health effects.

Since when has fluoride been added to tap water?

Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city to add fluoride to its water systems in 1945. Over the next 15 years, scientists monitored tooth decay rates in nearly 30,000 children in the city and found that the rate of tooth decay fell more than 60% in 11 years, according to the NIDCR.

The story continues after the photo gallery.

How many Americans currently drink water treated with fluoride?

According to the CDC, as of 2022, more than 209 million Americans, or 72% of the population, have their community water systems fluoridated. An additional 11.6 million people drink from water systems that naturally contain high enough levels of the chemical to provide dental health benefits.

How much fluoride should be in water?

The U.S. Public Health Service currently recommends a fluoride level of 0.7 milligrams per liter of water to maximize oral health benefits while minimizing the risk of fluorosis, a condition triggered by excessive fluoride intake, usually in small children occurs to children.

Are state water systems required to add fluoride?

No, state water systems are not federally required to fluoridate their water.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local governments implement their own fluoridation levels, sometimes set by voters at the ballot box. Some state legislatures have recently introduced measures to change fluoridation regulations.

Does Indiana tap water contain fluoride?

Yes, in Indiana, most surface water and groundwater have a natural fluoride concentration of 0.1 to 0.2 milligrams per liter, according to the Indiana Department of Health, which estimates that 100,000 Hoosiers receive optimally fluoridated water from private wells.

The first three cities in Indiana to fluoridate their public water supplies were Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Huntingburg, all in 1951.

Do all cities in Indiana add fluoride to their drinking water?

No, not every place in Indiana adds fluoride to their drinking water. According to the Indiana Department of Health, nearly 300 public water systems in Indiana and 33 rural schools are contaminated with fluoride, while 84 public water systems in Hoosier are not.

In total, about 4.3 million Hoosiers in Indiana receive optimal fluoridated water, according to health officials.

Which public water providers in Indiana do not add fluoride?

Indiana public water suppliers that serve more than 900 customers who do not use fluoride, according to the Indiana Department of Health, include: Aberdeen-Pate Water Corporation, Akron, Arcadia, Bicknell, Cataract Lake Water Corporation, Cayuga, Crawford County Water Company , Dugger , Eaton, Everton Water Corporation, Farmersburg, Fayette Township Water Corporation, Jennings Water Inc., Jennings Northwest Regional Utility, Jonesboro, Linton, Lyford, Odon, Painted Hills, Paxton, Remington, Rossville, Shelburn, St. Paul, Switz City, Suburban Utilities-El Paco, Tri-Township Water Corporation, Troy, Van Bibber Lake, Waynetown and West Terre Haute.

How much does it cost to fluoridate water in Indiana?

According to the Indiana Department of Health, the average per capita cost to fluoridate a public water supply is $1 to $2 per year. The cost of just one dental filling is more than $50.

For every dollar spent on water fluoridation, $38 is saved in reduced dental care costs, according to the CDC.

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at JTuftsReports.