Fluoride in drinking water has no effect on IQ or brain function, long-term study shows
Source: NBC News
April 13, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT
Tests of intelligence and brain function showed the same results whether or not people drank fluoridated water growing up, a highly anticipated, long-term study found.
The new research, published Monday in the respected Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the first to measure community water fluoridation exposure during childhood in the U.S. and any potential impact on cognition up to age 80. The results contradict claims made by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that fluoride is industrial waste associated with IQ loss.
Dr. Scott Tomar, head of the department of population oral health at the University of Illinois in Chicago, called the new study quite significant. I think that the public can be assured, Tomar, who was not involved with the new research, said. There is no association with community water fluoridation and any measure of IQ or neurodevelopment.
Fear over a link to lower IQ scores has been cited by a growing number of communities across the country that prohibit the addition of fluoride to drinking water. Two states Utah and Florida have enacted bans. Several other states, including Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri and Oklahoma, have similar legislation pending.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/fluoride-water-children-iq-brain-cognition-study-rfk-jr-rcna267328
Link to PUBLICATION - Municipal water fluoridation, adolescent IQ, and cognition across the life course: Evidence from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study
live love laugh
(16,420 posts)GB_RN
(3,569 posts)Although, as many/most are from rural areas, theres a definite correlation with fluoride (or rather, lack thereof) and their lack of teeth. Now, this part is just anecdotal, in my experience, theres a direct correlation between lack of teeth and lack of IQ. And Im only partly joking.
QueerDuck
(1,806 posts)Scott Alan Swaggerty
(349 posts)It's the industrial waste in the water that's industrial waste... but Robert and MAHA will shrug at that though.
rpannier
(24,935 posts)Industrial waste
FiveFifteen
(109 posts)FiveFifteen
(109 posts)This is a really great piece. I gotta say, though, at the end of the day, this is just *embarrassing*. We have united all the country's worst, dumbest, most internet-poisoned dipshits into one organization & they are genuinely just embarrassing to contemplate.
— David Roberts (@volts.wtf) 2026-04-12T18:16:59.633Z
Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)
Chasstev365 This message was self-deleted by its author.
DFW
(60,309 posts)Now they'll need to look for another excuse.
twodogsbarking
(18,931 posts)Might be a connection but I am not Jesus.
hamsterjill
(17,640 posts)Lived in a rural area that didn't provide it. Lots of money spent on dentists. Lots of time, and lots of absolute pain.
Moved to the city that did have it, and things improved, although I still have lingering issues at times.
I'm not Jesus either, but neither am I stupid.
malthaussen
(18,587 posts)JT45242
(4,056 posts)You want smarter kids...have free prenatal care.
Affordable child care with ratios that allow the child to be read to.
Universal preK with qualified teachers.
Fully funded reading programs with student teacher ratios that don't look like long shots at the Kentucky derby.
School library with money for books.
All those will effectively increase the nurture side of IQ
NNadir
(38,186 posts)chouchou
(3,179 posts)Warning...Warning (H2O)
sleroy49
(83 posts)FakeNoose
(41,871 posts)So we Democrats can keep this info to ourselves and benefit from it. We just keep getting smarter all the time.
BootinUp
(51,436 posts)wolfie001
(7,788 posts)That's the only message drawn from this debacle. The old drug abuser and drug pusher used his family name well to get to the pinnacle of society. A lot of wreckage in his wake. Stupid motherfucker.
LudwigPastorius
(14,801 posts)But, they didn't test our "precious bodily fluids" did they?
Hunh?!