Proposed legislation in New York City seeks to prohibit the use of fluoride in public drinking water supply
In a surprising turn of events, Democratic Council Member James Gennaro has introduced a bill aiming to ban fluoride from New York City's drinking water. This move comes as Gennaro, the lead sponsor of the legislation, has grown interested in research questioning whether Americans are receiving excessive amounts of this mineral in their water.
Previously, Gennaro was not skeptical of the benefits of fluoride in drinking water for children's oral health. However, he now believes that the research points towards de-fluoridation, and he is working closely with a professor at Queens College to further investigate the issue. The identity of the professor remains undisclosed.
The current level of fluoride in New York City's drinking water is 0.7 milligrams per liter. This level was lowered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011, from a range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter, following concerns about the potential health effects of excessive fluoride exposure.
The bill's supporters argue that the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water amounts to 'forced medication' of an entire population. If passed, New York City would join Nassau and Suffolk counties, where fluoride is not added to the drinking water.
The proposal comes amidst concerns about the potential adverse effects of fluoride on health. An analysis published by the National Institutes of Health found that higher levels of fluoride exposure in children were associated with lower IQ scores. However, it's important to note that this analysis included studies with a 'high risk of bias,' as noted by health outlet Stat News.
The authors of the analysis stated that it did not cover the benefits of fluoridated water and was not intended to address its 'broader public health implications.' The prevalence of dental fluorosis, a condition caused by excessive fluoride exposure, was found to be rising among adolescents in the early 2000s in a study.
Despite the controversy surrounding RFK Jr., who is known for his skepticism towards established medicine and criticism of federal government vaccine recommendations, Gennaro has clarified that he is not directly inspired by RFK Jr. to introduce the bill.
In response to the proposed ban, the city would be required to provide free fluoride supplements to anyone who requests them. This move aims to ensure that individuals who wish to maintain their current fluoride intake can still do so, should the ban be enacted.
As the debate surrounding fluoride in drinking water continues, Gennaro is committed to looking at the science surrounding fluoride and its effects on health. His collaboration with a professor at Queens College is a testament to this commitment, as they work together to gather more input from experts on the issue.
Read also:
- New York joins a multistate health coalition to counteract chaos in federal vaccine distribution efforts
- Enhanced Iron Absorption in Female Health: Biotechnology Developed Plant Protein Outperforms Iron Supplements in Fermentation
- Controversy Surrounding Epstein Heats Up in Washington; Trump Endorses Homelessness Executive Order; More Events Reported
- Prevent the exploitation of our public health care systems for financial gain
