Collier County is ending decades of water fluoridation amid growing health concerns

After nearly four decades of fluoridating its water supply, Collier County discontinued the practice on February 13, 2024, after the Board of County Commissioners made a unanimous decision following nearly four hours of public comment. The vote was supported by many residents in line with Collier County’s recently passed 2023 Health Freedom Bill of Rights and the nonprofit advocacy group Stand For Health Freedom. “This is about informed consent. There is no way to avoid fluoride in water. You get it when you drink, when you bathe and even in your food. This is completely unacceptable,” said Marco Island resident Scott Kiley, who pushed the Health Freedom Bill of Rights initiative. Kiley also pointed to a September 2023 ruling by U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen, who directed the Environmental Protection Agency to review fluoride regulations. “This decision was a wake-up call. “Stop ignoring the risks,” Kiley said. Naples follows suit. The debate over the health benefits or risks of the mineral fluoride is now spreading to neighboring communities throughout Southwest Florida. On November 7, the Naples City Council voted 4-3 to give the first reading of an ordinance to remove fluoride from the water supply. A final vote is expected in December at the Dec. 4 City Council meeting. Naples has been fluoridating its water since 1950. “If fluoride can lower a child’s IQ by even a small amount, why are we still using it? “Science is catching up with what we have suspected for years,” said Joel Bohemier, a Naples chiropractor who has a multi-thousand-dollar filtration device in his home to filter his family’s water. However, opponents of the regulation warn, such as the Neapolitan cardiologist Dr. James Talano, from unintended consequences. “Fluoride has transformed public health, especially for children in underserved communities. “Removing fluoride from water could lead to an increase in tooth decay, which is linked to serious health problems such as heart disease,” Talano said. National Study Drives Local Decisions The local fluoride debate gained significant momentum following the publication of a study in JAMA linking prenatal fluoride exposure to lower IQ scores in children. The study looked at 229 mother-child pairs and found that higher levels of fluoride were correlated with neurodevelopmental problems. Don’t add statins or antidepressants to the water. Why should fluoride be any different? said Dr. George Yiachos, a Naples-based integrative cardiologist. “Proponents of fluoridation counter that the levels in drinking water are safe and provide critical dental benefits. Additionally, the JAMA study examined nearly double normal fluoride levels in their research.” “The levels of fluoride examined were far higher than what we use. That’s not a fair comparison,” Talano said. A Community DividedResidents are deeply divided on the issue. Some are hailing the decision as a victory for personal freedom, but others are worried about the potential impact on public health, particularly on teeth. “Fluoride in water was never about personal choices – it was about community health. “This decision will disproportionately harm low-income families who cannot afford regular dental care,” said Naples resident Linda Torres, a retired dentist. Jill Kiley, a Marco Island resident, rejected such arguments and called the debate part of a broader fight for individual rights. “We started this movement after COVID showed us how easily freedoms can be taken away,” Kiley said. What’s next? While Collier County has already stopped the debate over fluoridation, the debate over fluoridation is still in its early stages in Naples. Meanwhile, communities like Marco Island and Everglades City remain unaffected because they never adopted water fluoridation. However, Immokalee continues to fluoridate its water and has no plans to make any changes. The final decision in Naples is expected on Wednesday, December 4th in the city council chamber. The agenda item is set for 3 p.m. and public comment is welcome. “This is more than a debate about water. It’s about how we weigh public health risks, benefits and personal freedom,” Yiachos said.