US towns plunge into debates about fluoride in water
Fights are cropping up nationwide over fluoride in drinking water
By MIKE STOBBE
Published - Nov 21, 2024, 12:56 PM ET
Last Updated - Nov 21, 2024, 12:56 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — For about 50 years, adding cavity-preventing fluoride to drinking water was a popular public health measure in Yorktown, a leafy town north of New York City.
But in September, the town’s supervisor used his emergency powers to stop the practice.
The reason? A recent federal judge’s decision that ordered U.S. regulators to consider the risk that fluoride in water could cause lower IQ in kids.
“It’s too dangerous to look at and just say ‘Ah, screw it. We’ll keep going on,’” said the town supervisor, Ed Lachterman.
