President-elect Donald Trump’s potential pick for Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has proposed removing fluoride from public water systems across the U.S. Kennedy believes fluoride is an industrial waste that can lead to health issues such as arthritis, bone cancer, and IQ loss. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that fluoride is a mineral that helps protect teeth by replacing lost minerals due to acid breakdown.
In Massachusetts, 62.8% of residents use fluoridated water, with 120 towns and cities across the state implementing it in their water systems. Cities like Boston, Fall River, and Quincy have fluoridated water, while places like North Adams, Provincetown, and Springfield do not. Western Massachusetts and Cape Cod generally do not fluoridate their water, with some exceptions.
Some communities have partially fluoridated water, like Worcester, where only 150 homes receive fluoridated water from Holden. Worcester residents voted against fluoridating their water in 2001. Despite the potential health benefits of fluoride in preventing tooth decay, the debate over its use in public water systems continues.
If Kennedy’s proposal were to be enacted, it would impact millions of Americans who rely on fluoridated water for oral health benefits. The issue of fluoride in public water is a complex one, with arguments on both sides regarding its effectiveness and potential health risks. The decision to remove fluoride from drinking water would have significant implications for public health and dental care in the U.S.
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