Recently, the Philadelphia Inquirer published an editorial reprinted in the Sun Gazette that dismissed RFK Jr.’s promise to end fluoridation if appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services. While the article paints RFK Jr. in a negative light, it also perpetuates myths about fluoridation that deserve a closer look.

1. “Fluoride is not an industrial waste product. It is a mineral found in rocks and soil.”

While it’s true that fluoride exists naturally in the environment, not all fluoride is created equal. The fluoride added to public water supplies is hydrofluorosilicic acid, a byproduct of industrial manufacturing processes. This is vastly different from calcium fluoride, the naturally occurring form.

Let’s not forget: hydrofluorosilicic acid is so caustic it eats through concrete, as documented in the Illinois news report “Fluoride Eats Holes in Concrete” on YouTube. If fluoride chemicals weren’t repurposed for water fluoridation, companies would face the costly task of disposing of them as hazardous waste. This financial incentive raises serious questions about the motivations behind fluoridation policies. You can be sure the titans of industry were behind fluoridation policy in the 1940’s.

2. “Fluoridation wasn’t done hastily.”

Contrary to this claim, fluoridation began without the rigorous animal studies that are a standard prerequisite for introducing substances into public health policy. In essence, Americans became the guinea pigs for fluoridation experiments.

When I asked the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority for evidence of health studies conducted before fluoridation began, none were provided. Countries like Finland and the Netherlands tried fluoridation but reversed course after documenting negative health effects.

3. “Fluoridated water reduces cavities and improves attendance at school and work.”

Also preposterous is claim that fluoridation reduces cavities by as much as 60% is outdated and unsupported by recent studies. According to the 2024 Cochrane Review, the actual reduction in cavities from fluoridation is between 3% and 4%–with the possibility of no measurable benefit at all.

Today, the path to better dental health lies in improved nutrition, reduced sugar intake, and the use of hydroxyapatite-based dental products, which offer a safe alternative to fluoride.

4. “There are zero instances of fluoride causing public health issues.”

This statement is not only misleading but also offensive to those who have suffered fluoride-related health problems. The government does track one side effect of fluoridation: dental fluorosis. This condition permanently disfigures and weakens teeth due to overexposure to fluoride during early development.

Around 2012, all fluoride levels in water were reduced from 1.2 ppm to 0.7 ppm in response to alarming rates of dental fluorosis in children. Even at lower levels, the damage continues, with 20% of children still affected, according to the NIH.

In addition to dental issues, fluoride exposure has been linked to a wide range of health and neurologic problems, including:

Lower IQ in children (documented in a JAMA Pediatrics meta-study), Thyroid disorders, Increased bone fractures, Immune system dysfunction, Preterm birth and low birth weight

Despite these documented risks, mainstream medicine and public health authorities have largely ignored fluoride’s harmful effects.

It’s important to remember that fluoride was once used as a rodenticide and currently as a pesticide. ScienceDirect explicitly states: “Sodium fluoride is toxic to all forms of life.” Why, then, are we still adding it to our drinking water?

Fluoride ingestion isn’t just unnecessary–it’s harmful. As the evidence continues to mount against fluoride, it’s clear that fluoridation is a failed experiment. RFK Jr.’s call to end fluoridation is not only reasonable but urgent.

The health of future generations depends on us challenging long-standing public health policies that no longer stand up to scrutiny. Let’s demand an end to fluoridation and embrace safer, more effective approaches to dental and overall health.

BEVERLY DeCER, RN

Williamsport

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom