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St. Clair County’s top health official urges local prohibition on water fluoridation, citing new federal findings on neurodevelopmental risks.
Health Director Recommends Countywide Fluoride Ban Citing Federal Court Ruling
PORT HURON, Mich. — The St. Clair County Health Department may soon take an unprecedented step to restrict fluoride in local drinking water. In a June 17 memorandum to Health Officer Liz King and the Advisory Board of Health, Dr. Remington Nevin, the county’s Medical Director, recommended new local regulations that would prohibit the addition of fluoride and certain other additives to any public water system serving county residents.
Dr. Nevin’s recommendation invokes Michigan law allowing local health departments to act in protection of “particularly vulnerable population groups.” He cited mounting scientific evidence suggesting fluoride — long used to prevent tooth decay — may act as a developmental neurotoxicant when exposure exceeds safe thresholds.
National Toxicology Program Findings Cited
The memorandum references a 2024 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program (NTP) report concluding that higher fluoride exposure correlates with lower IQ in children, particularly when concentrations exceed 1.5 mg/L, the World Health Organization’s drinking water guideline.
Although the NTP noted insufficient data to determine whether the U.S. fluoridation standard of 0.7 mg/L impacts IQ, it warned that cumulative exposure from water, toothpaste, and other sources could pose risks to pregnant women and children.
Federal Court Orders EPA Review of Fluoridation Safety
Dr. Nevin also referenced a September 2024 ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, which found that community water fluoridation at current levels “poses an unreasonable risk of injury to health” under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The ruling compels the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to propose new regulations addressing fluoride-related health risks.
The EPA has pledged to “expeditiously review” the latest fluoride science, though no timeline has been established. Public health agencies nationwide have been monitoring developments closely.
Other States Move Ahead of Federal Action
The memorandum highlights that Florida and Utah have enacted statewide bans on public water fluoridation in 2025, citing similar health concerns. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the measure into law on April 29, while Utah’s legislature passed its ban in March.
Dr. Nevin said residents and several townships in Michigan’s Thumb region have voiced comparable concerns. His proposed local regulation would define “water quality additive” narrowly and prohibit any additive that does not directly remove contaminants or improve water safety.
Michigan Implications and Local Context
If approved, St. Clair County could become the first Michigan jurisdiction to restrict water fluoridation, potentially setting a precedent for neighboring counties. Most Michigan municipal systems, including those in Port Huron and Marysville, currently fluoridate water under state health guidelines.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) continues to endorse community fluoridation as safe and effective, citing decades of data supporting its dental health benefits. As of 2022, more than 70% of Michigan residents received fluoridated water, according to CDC data.
However, local health authorities retain regulatory authority to adopt stricter measures under MCL 333.2435(d) and MCL 333.2441.
Public Engagement Planned
Dr. Nevin said he welcomes community input on the proposal before any regulation is adopted. “Adopting these regulations before future federal action would demonstrate proactive concern for the health of our local population,” he wrote in the memorandum.
Public meetings are expected later this fall before the Advisory Board of Health makes its recommendation to the county commission.
Broader National Debate
The fluoride ban adds to a growing national debate over fluoride safety and the balance between dental health benefits and neurodevelopmental risks. Pending EPA action could reshape federal water standards nationwide. Michigan’s decision may hinge on whether the county’s public health authority aligns with evolving federal findings or maintains the state’s longstanding support for fluoridation.
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Fluoride Ban Works Cited
“Community Water Fluoridation Data.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/statistics/2022
Bashash, M., et al. “Prenatal Fluoride Exposure and Cognitive Outcomes in Children.” Environmental Health Perspectives, 2017. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP655
Green, R., et al. “Association Between Maternal Fluoride Exposure During Pregnancy and IQ Scores in Offspring.” JAMA Pediatrics, 2019. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2748634
“NTP Monograph on the State of the Science Concerning Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopment.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2024. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov
Food & Water Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Case No. 17-64-02162-EMC, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Sept. 24, 2024.
“EPA Will Expeditiously Review New Science on Fluoride in Drinking Water.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Apr. 7, 2025. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-will-expeditiously-review-new-science-fluoride-drinking-water
Payne, K. “Florida Poised to Become Second State to Ban Fluoride from Public Water Systems.” Associated Press, Apr. 29, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/florida-fluoride-ban-public-water-systems-2025
Brown, M., and Schoenbaum, H. “Utah Bans Fluoride in Public Drinking Water.” Associated Press, Mar. 28, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/utah-fluoride-ban-2025
