JAMA Pediatrics Study Links Fluoride Exposure to Lower IQ in Children

Jan 6, 2025, 07:37 PM

A new systematic review published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests a potential association between fluoride exposure and lower IQ scores in children. The study analyzed 74 studies and found that higher levels of fluoride exposure may be linked to decreased intelligence levels among young populations. An accompanying editorial calls for a reassessment of fluoride exposure, reigniting the debate over the safety of water fluoridation. Critics, however, are questioning the data and methodology of the study. Dr. Howard Hu, a professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, stated that "the drop in IQ linked to fluoride is on par with the estimated loss of intellect from exposure to leaded gasoline."