State Lawmaker Proposes Bill Prohibiting Fluoride In Public Water Systems

A Tennessee lawmaker has filed legislation that would amend the law regarding the state’s standards for safe drinking water by prohibiting fluoride in public water supplies.

“Senator Joey Hensley has filed a bill which would amend the law regarding Tennessee’s standards for safe drinking water by making fluoride a prohibited substance in public water supplies,” Fluoride Action Network wrote.

TENNESSEE – “Senator Joey Hensley has filed a bill which would amend the law regarding Tennessee’s standards for safe drinking water by making fluoride a prohibited substance in public water supplies.” pic.twitter.com/DunD21xWRA

— Fluoride Action Network (@FluorideAction) January 17, 2025

From The Tennessee Conservative:

SB0162 appears in the lineup for the 2025 legislative session after reports circulated toward the end of last year that the topic could be addressed in the General Assembly this year, and the bill would mark a significant change to Tennessee’s water standards as approximately 88% of residents served by community water systems receive fluoridated water, according to the TN Department of Health.

The current laws regarding TN water safety standards ban actions like defiling or damaging system infrastructure, discharging sewage in or near the supplies, and withdrawing or pumping too much water from the system if it could negatively impact customers.

The language of SB0162 will simply add a subsection to this portion to the existing laws by making adding fluoride to, “a public water system by the supplier of water who owns, operated, or controls the public water system,” another prohibited action.

This bill could become rather controversial as many community water suppliers and oversight bodies, including the TN Department of Health, look to advice and recommendations from agencies like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Center for Disease Control, and American Dental Association, all of whom wholeheartedly endorse the use of fluoride.

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Senator Joey Hensley has filed a bill which would amend the law regarding Tennessee’s standards for safe drinking water by making fluoride a prohibited substance in public water supplies.https://t.co/GxwfmJNXTf

— Tennessee Conservative News (@TnCoNews1) January 17, 2025

“SB0162- Utilities, Utility Districts – As introduced, prohibits public water system operators from adding fluoride to their water systems,” WSMV 4 noted.

The proposed legislation follows last year’s federal court ruling that water fluoridation at current U.S. levels presents an “unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, without consideration of costs or other non-risk factors, including an unreasonable risk to a potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation under the conditions of use.”

Biden EPA To Appeal Water Fluoridation Court Ruling Days Before Trump Takes Office

“In a decision that could end the practice of water fluoridation in the U.S., a federal judge late Tuesday ruled that water fluoridation at current U.S. levels poses an ‘unreasonable risk’ of reduced IQ in children. The @EPA can no longer ignore that risk, and must take regulatory action, Judge Edward Chen of the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California wrote in the long-awaited landmark decision,” Children’s Health Defense wrote.

“More than 200 million Americans drink water treated with fluoride at the ‘optimal’ level of 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L). However, Chen ruled that a preponderance of scientific evidence shows this level of fluoride exposure may damage human health, particularly that of pregnant mothers and young children,” the organization continued.

“The verdict delivers a major blow to the EPA, public health agencies like the @CDCgov and professional lobbying groups like the American Dental Association (ADA), which have staked their reputations on the claim that water fluoridation is one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century and an unqualified public good. Fluoride proponents refused to reexamine that stance despite mounting scientific evidence from top researchers and government agencies of fluoride’s neurotoxic risks, particularly for infants’ developing brains. Instead, they attempted to weaken and suppress the research and discredit the scientists carrying it out,” it added.

🚨 BREAKING: Fluoride in Water Poses ‘Unreasonable Risk’ to Children, Federal Judge Rules

In a decision that could end the practice of water fluoridation in the U.S., a federal judge late Tuesday ruled that water fluoridation at current U.S. levels poses an “unreasonable risk”… pic.twitter.com/GqkJAYpVL4

— Children’s Health Defense (@ChildrensHD) September 25, 2024

“On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S​. water systems to remove fluoride from public water. Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, said in November.

“On October 4 ,an Obama appointed Federal Judge held against EPA after reviewing thousands of scientific studies and weeks of expert testimony ruling that the agency had improperly approved this dangerous neurotoxin,” he added.

On October 4 ,an Obama appointed Federal Judge held against EPA after reviewing thousands of scientific studies and weeks of expert testimony ruling that the agency had improperly approved this dangerous neurotoxin. https://t.co/vww2VHyWa5

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) November 3, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to file a last-minute appeal against the ruling, Fluoride Action Network announced.

Biden EPA To Appeal Water Fluoridation Court Ruling Days Before Trump Takes Office

“The notice from the EPA did not offer an explanation or justification for their decision, which was made only three days before a new EPA administrator and presidential administration enters office. So far, the EPA has also chosen not to respond or make a statement to media outlets,” Fluoride Action Network wrote.

“It’s important to note that the EPA’s decision has no binding effect on the incoming administration and EPA administrator, who could independently assess the ruling and the science behind it and choose not to pursue an appeal. This could happen as soon as day one of the new administration,” it added.

- FAN PRESS RELEASE -
EPA Files Notice of Appeal

This afternoon, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California that they plan to appeal the federal court ruling that water fluoridation “poses an unreasonable… pic.twitter.com/jSPrUkhqH7

— Fluoride Action Network (@FluorideAction) January 18, 2025

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.