New York City Council Proposes Legislation to Prohibit Fluoride in Drinking Water
In a move that could potentially alter the city's water supply, Democratic Council Member James Gennaro has introduced a bill seeking to ban fluoride from New York City's drinking water. The current level of fluoride in the city's water is already at the recommended optimal level of 0.7 milligrams per liter, as set by the HHS in 2011.
Gennaro's aim in introducing the bill is to gather more expert input on the issue, believing that the trend points towards de-fluoridation. He is working with a professor at Queens College to research the issue further, although the professor's name has not been disclosed.
The MAHA movement, with RFK Jr. being associated, has shown skepticism towards established medicine and has put the federal government's existing vaccine recommendations in its crosshairs. However, Gennaro's introduction of the bill is not directly related to RFK Jr., despite their shared interest in environmental justice.
The bill's two council supporters view the addition of fluoride to drinking water as 'forced medication.' This stance is supported by studies that have raised concerns about the safety of high levels of fluoride exposure.
A U.S. government report has identified a correlation between higher fluoride exposure in drinking water and lower IQ in children. An analysis published by the National Institutes of Health also found a potential association between higher levels of fluoride exposure in children and lower I.Q. scores.
However, it's important to note that these analyses did not cover the benefits of fluoridated water and were not meant to address its broader public health implications. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study that found a rising prevalence of dental fluorosis among adolescents in the early 2000s.
If the ban were to pass, New York City would join other areas like Nassau and Suffolk counties where fluoride is not added to drinking water. The bill also requires the city to provide free fluoride supplements to anyone who requests them.
This development in New York City's water policy is a significant step and will undoubtedly spark further debate and research into the safety and benefits of fluoride in drinking water.
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