© 2025 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Debate Over Fluoride In American Drinking Water

Tap water is seen in this photo illustration in Washington, DC.
ALASTAIR PIKE
/
AFP via Getty Images
Tap water is seen in this photo illustration in Washington, DC.

Fluoride in American tap water is nothing new. We've been safely adding it to our drinking water for decades and staved off tooth decay in our population.

But new skepticism has some Americans wondering about the benefits of the practice. This is in large part thanks to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump's pick to run the Department of Health and Human Services.

How is fluoride added to our water supply? Are there any risks to ingesting it? And why are some so worried about drinking it?

Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

Copyright 2025 NPR