Does Fluoride Cause Cancer, IQ Loss, and More? Fact-Checking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Claims - KFF Health News

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked fluoride to arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.

Kennedy , tapped to lead Department of Health and Human Services , called fluoride an “industrial waste” Kennedy is an influential vaccine skeptic whose campaign of conspiracy theories earned PolitiFact ’s 2023 “Lie of the Year” Longtime research has found that adding fluoride to U.S. drinking water is a safe way to boost children's oral health.

Dental Association: Fluoride prevents at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults.

CDC : No evidence linking community water fluoridation with any potential adverse health effect or systemic disorder.

Some studies have said excess fluoride exposure, often at higher levels than the recommended U.S. limit, can harm infants’ and young children’s developing brains.

She said that although several studies have found high fluoride exposure associated with increased risk of bone fractures, and some have linked fluoride with thyroid disease, rigorous, U.S.-based studies haven’t been done. The CDC concluded that recent research found no link between cancer risk and high levels of fluoride in drinking water. The American Cancer Society reviewed a possible link between water fluoridation and cancer risk. An organization spokesperson pointed PolitiFact to its review and said it has no data showing a definitive answer..