Gov. Spencer Cox has signed a groundbreaking law that bans fluoride from Utah’s public water systems, making the state the first in the nation to eliminate the additive on a statewide level. The law was passed by the Republican legislature and takes effect on May 7.
The move was driven in part by new scientific data suggesting that fluoride exposure may lower IQ in children. One of the most comprehensive reviews, backed by the federal government, found that elevated fluoride levels in a mother’s body during pregnancy were tied to measurable IQ drops in her children.
BREAKING: Utah has become the first state to completely BAN fluoride in their drinking water.
All 50 states should follow suit! pic.twitter.com/YGogmMvuSG
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) March 30, 2025
In several high-quality studies included in that review, boys exposed to more fluoride in utero lost up to 5 IQ points. Researchers emphasized the consistency of findings across various countries and study designs, warning that early life exposure is particularly concerning.
Health officials under the Trump administration have echoed similar views. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services, has voiced concern over fluoride’s potential link to neurological issues. He supports removing fluoride from water systems and promoting informed choice.
Utah banning fluoride and pride flags in the same day…
Check on your liberal friends. They might die. https://t.co/Ws9zf0Shn9— Storm (@stormrobinson) March 28, 2025
Utah’s new law bars cities and towns from adding fluoride to their own systems, preventing local ordinances from overriding the state policy. The legislation’s sponsor, Rep. Stephanie Gricius, cited medical freedom and scientific uncertainty as reasons behind the bill.
Before the ban, Utah already had one of the nation’s lowest fluoridation rates. In 2024, only a fraction of public water systems were still using fluoride, with Salt Lake City among the few that did.
