What is fluoride and why Trump would remove it from drinking water if he wins

Before voting for the US presidential election, former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that if Donald Trump is re-elected, he would aim to remove fluoride from public drinking water on his first day in office.

“On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water,” Kennedy wrote on is , and IQ loss, adding that Trump and former first lady Melania Trump are trying to “make America whole again.”

On January 20th, Trump's White House will advise all of the USA. Water systems to remove fluoride from public waters. Fluoride is an industrial waste that has been linked to arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease. President…

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (@RobertKennedyJr) November 2, 2024

Kennedy's comments followed his continued opposition to fluoridation, a stance that was often criticized by the broader medical community. Trump, who had previously promised to make Kennedy a key health policy figure if re-elected, appeared open to exploring such proposals.

He told NBC News, “I haven't talked to him about it yet, but it sounds OK to me,” before adding, “It's possible.”

Trump was also willing to consult with other experts, calling Kennedy “a very talented man with strong views.”

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, is often added to public drinking water to prevent tooth decay, a practice recommended by numerous health authorities.

“Fluoride is a natural substance,” Professor Oliver Jones of RMIT University told the Guardian. “It’s not an industrial waste product.”

Dental experts have long praised the benefits of fluoride, saying it strengthens tooth enamel and helps protect against tooth decay.

Studies linking fluoride to serious health problems such as cancer or neurological problems are not yet conclusive. “Contrary to Kennedy's claims, studies have found no evidence linking fluoride in regular drinking water to conditions such as osteoporosis, bone fractures or cancer,” said University of Queensland Professor Loc Do.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) support the safety of fluoride. They have set a recommended limit of 1.5 mg per liter for drinking water. Fluoridation was named one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century by the CDC.

Trump's potential health care agenda

The former president has previously signaled his willingness to take Kennedy's views into account, including on other contentious health issues such as vaccination policy.

Asked about the possibility of banning certain vaccines, Trump replied: “Well, I'll talk to (Kennedy) and other people, and I'll make a decision.”

Meanwhile, counting for the US elections has begun. Several media networks are currently predicting that Donald Trump will win ten states and Kamala Harris will win five states.

As for the Electoral College numbers that will decide the winner of this election, the former president is ahead by 137 votes and Harris is ahead by 99 votes. Each candidate is aiming for the magic number of 270 Electoral College votes.