EPA Denies 2017 Petition to Ban Community Water Fluoridation
Author: American Dental Association (ADA)
Published: 28 Feb 2017 - Updated: 9 Oct 2026
Publication Type: Announcement
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This information is a statement from the American Dental Association responding to the Environmental Protection Agency's February 2017 denial of a citizen petition that asked the agency to ban the addition of fluoridation chemicals to public drinking water. The petitioners argued that fluoride at the levels used by U.S. communities lowers IQ, and the EPA, in a justification published in the Federal Register, concluded the petition had not offered a scientifically defensible basis for finding neurotoxic harm from fluoridated water. The statement carries weight because it quotes the agency's own reasoning and comes from the country's largest dental association, and it remains a useful record of where federal regulators and organized dentistry stood at the start of a dispute that later moved into the courts. It matters to anyone who relies on public water for cavity prevention, including seniors, people with disabilities who have difficulty with daily brushing or getting to a dentist, and families on limited incomes for whom fluoridated tap water is often the most accessible form of dental protection.*
At a Glance
- 1 - The ADA estimated that 211 million Americans were receiving optimally fluoridated water at the time.
- 2 - The petition was filed in November 2016, and the EPA's denial appeared in the Federal Register on February 27, 2017.
- 3 - ADA President Gary Roberts called water fluoridation effective and safe and said the EPA's decision rested on solid science.
- 4 - The EPA stressed that studies linking an exposure to a disease must adjust for confounders such as diet, behavior, and socioeconomic status before a cause can be claimed.
Topic Definition
- Community Water Fluoridation
Community water fluoridation is the controlled adjustment of the fluoride concentration in a public water supply to a level that helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride occurs naturally in almost all water, and fluoridation brings it to a target that the U.S. Public Health Service has set at 0.7 milligrams per liter since 2015. The practice began in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1945 and reached roughly 209 million people in the CDC's most recent national statistics. Fluoride works mainly through contact with the teeth, strengthening enamel and helping to reverse the earliest stages of decay. The recommended level is separate from the Environmental Protection Agency's enforceable limit of 4.0 milligrams per liter, which exists to protect people from the health effects of excessive, usually naturally occurring, fluoride.
Overview
The American Dental Association (ADA) commends the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its scientifically sound decision on February 27, 2017, to deny a request to ban community water fluoridation.
Hundreds of communities across the country optimally fluoridate their water supplies, providing an estimated 211 million people at the time with increased protection from dental disease.
In November 2016, a group opposed to community water fluoridation petitioned the EPA with a request that the agency ban the addition of fluoridating chemicals to drinking water. The petitioners claimed that the level of fluoride used by communities across the nation negatively affects IQs.
EPA scientists denied the petition, noting in their official justification that,
"the petition has not set forth a scientifically defensible basis to conclude that any persons have suffered neurotoxic harm as a result of exposure to fluoride in the U.S. through the purposeful addition of fluoridation chemicals to drinking water or otherwise from fluoride exposure in the U.S."
The EPA justification, published Feb. 27, 2017 in the Federal Register, noted principles associated with sound science:
"When an association is suggested between an exposure and a disease outcome, the studies need to be assessed to determine whether the effect is truly because of exposure or if alternate explanations are possible. The way to do that is to adjust for potential confounders, such as diet, behavior, and socioeconomic status [...]"
"It is always heartening when our government comes down on the side of sound science," said ADA President Gary Roberts. "Public health policy recommending community water fluoridation results from years of scientifically rigorous analysis of the amount of fluoride people receive from all sources.
"Water fluoridation is effective and safe," Dr. Roberts said. "Today's decision by the EPA is based on solid science."
The ADA's website has more information on the benefits of community water fluoridation.
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
What happened after the EPA denied the fluoride petition in 2017?
The petitioners sued the EPA in federal court under the Toxic Substances Control Act. In September 2024 a district court in California ruled that fluoridation at 0.7 milligrams per liter posed an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children and ordered the agency to respond. In May 2026 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated that order on procedural grounds and returned the case to the district court without ruling on the science.
What is the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water?
The U.S. Public Health Service recommends 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water. That single figure was set in 2015 and replaced an earlier range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter, reflecting the fact that people now get fluoride from toothpaste and other sources as well.
What is the EPA legal limit for fluoride in drinking water?
The enforceable federal limit, called the maximum contaminant level, is 4.0 milligrams per liter and was set in 1986. There is also a non-enforceable secondary standard of 2.0 milligrams per liter. Both are aimed mainly at water with high levels of naturally occurring fluoride, and both are well above the 0.7 milligrams per liter used for fluoridation.
What did the National Toxicology Program conclude about fluoride and IQ?
In an August 2024 report, the National Toxicology Program concluded with moderate confidence that fluoride exposure above 1.5 milligrams per liter of drinking water is associated with lower IQ in children. The report said there was not enough data to determine whether the 0.7 milligrams per liter recommended for U.S. water supplies has any effect on children's IQ.
Which states have banned community water fluoridation?
Utah became the first state to prohibit adding fluoride to public water systems, with its law taking effect in May 2025. Florida followed with a ban that took effect in July 2025. In most other states the decision is still made by local governments or water utilities, although similar bills have been introduced in several legislatures.
Is the EPA reviewing fluoride in drinking water now?
Yes. The EPA is carrying out an expedited review of fluoride under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It released a preliminary assessment plan in January 2026 and, in August 2026, a protocol for a human health toxicity assessment that will look at neurodevelopmental effects in children and dental fluorosis. A draft assessment is to be released for public comment, and no findings have been issued yet.
What is dental fluorosis?
Dental fluorosis is a change in the appearance of tooth enamel caused by taking in too much fluoride while the teeth are still forming under the gums, generally before age 8. In the U.S. it is usually mild and shows up as faint white flecks or lines. Severe forms that cause brown staining or pitting are uncommon and are linked to much higher fluoride levels than those used in fluoridation.
How can I find out if my tap water is fluoridated?
Your water utility must publish an annual water quality report, often called a Consumer Confidence Report, that lists the fluoride level in your supply. You can also call the utility or your local or state health department. If you use a private well, the only way to know the fluoride level is to have a water sample tested by a certified laboratory.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The EPA's 2017 denial did not end the argument. The petitioners took the agency to federal court, and in September 2024 a district judge in California ruled that fluoridation at the recommended 0.7 milligrams per liter posed an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children and ordered the agency to act. The Ninth Circuit vacated that order in May 2026 on procedural grounds and sent the case back without deciding the underlying science. In the meantime Utah and Florida have barred fluoride from public water systems, and the EPA has opened an expedited review of fluoride's health effects under the Safe Drinking Water Act. What has not changed is that fluoridated water is among the least expensive ways to prevent tooth decay, a benefit felt most by people who cannot easily afford or reach dental care, among them many older adults and people with disabilities. Readers should treat this statement as a snapshot of the 2017 position and check current guidance from their water utility and dentist.*
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by American Dental Association (ADA) and published on 28 Feb 2017, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.