EPA Launches Expedited Review of Fluoride in Drinking Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun an expedited review to determine safe fluoride levels in drinking water, according to a Federal Register notice on Jan. 28. This review could lead to revised standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act and inform the CDC’s fluoride recommendations.

The move aligns with the priorities of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., which opposes water fluoridation and has influenced the current administration. Kennedy claims, without scientific evidence, that U.S. fluoridation contributes to health issues, including cancer.

The EPA review will focus on potential harmful effects on brain and tooth development, excluding benefits such as cavity reduction, which the American Dental Association supports. The agency will also provide an online database of scientific literature used in its evaluation. Public comments will be accepted for 30 days, followed by external peer review.

This review follows a 2024 federal court order directing the EPA to address fluoride’s impact on children’s IQs.

31-01-2026