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In 2022, the % of Wisconsin residents who had fluoridated water dropped sharply. In keeping with information from the state’s Division of Well being Providers, 86.9% of residents had fluoridated water in 2021. A yr later, that had dropped to 84.9%. Combining information from the nationwide Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention and the Environmental Safety Company reveals that, in 2024, about 83.6% of the state’s residents have fluoridated water.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported that a number of communities are eradicating fluoride from their water programs. Opponents of fluoridated water cited a report on fluoride being dangerous to youngsters. Nonetheless, the CDC named fluoridated water programs as one of many biggest well being achievements of the 1900s. The CDC recommends 0.7 milligrams of water per liter, or about three drops of fluoride per 55 gallons of water.
This isn’t only a Wisconsin drawback. Throughout the nation, fluoride in water is changing into a controversial subject. Protection from the Related Press indicated that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push for eradicating fluoride from water programs is among the inciting components to the controversy. Kennedy is now President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to steer the federal Division of Well being and Human Providers.
In keeping with a 2018 publication by the American Dental Affiliation, having fluoride in water programs prevents 25% of tooth decay in youngsters and adults. It could actually additionally assist reverse tooth decay and decrease dental prices for the common client. Yearly, fluoridated water can decrease the price of dental care by over $32 per individual.
The Fluoride Motion Community, a corporation devoted to ending water fluoridation, argues that fluoride is an pointless, poisonous and harmful chemical that shouldn’t be added to water programs. It cites a 2024 report by the HHS’s Nationwide Toxicology Program that claims having twice the CDC-recommended quantity of fluoride in water programs correlates with decrease IQs in youngsters. The examine was not carried out with any information from america and doesn’t specify that fluoride causes a decrease IQ.
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