(The Center Square) – An Arizona bill would prohibit the use of fluoride in state public water systems.
State Sen. Janae Shamp, R-Surprise, introduced Senate Bill 1019, which would prevent people and political subdivisions from adding fluoride or fluoride-containing compounds to Arizona’s public water system.
The Senate Committee on Government recently advanced SB 1019 to the floor for a full Senate vote.
Shamp, a registered nurse, said SB 1019 is a “clear challenge to government overreach.”
“Healthcare freedom should not be partisan, and Arizonans should have the right to make informed choices about what they consume,” Shamp said, answering The Center Square’s questions by email. “Currently residents are required to ingest fluoride in public water, which undermines informed consent.”
Due to fluoride being in toothpaste and other items, Shamp noted, “The government should not medicate water.”
The senator said Arizona “needs to be cautious about our children’s health.”
“Fluoridating public water is effectively forced medication without individual or informed consent,” she explained.
In America, Shamp said “health care has become sick care,” and Arizona needs to “prioritize statewide health and individual choice.”
She added that as science advances, Arizona must “stay current with evidence-based practices.”
“Unfortunately, we don’t always embrace change, but the evidence shows that current methods are ineffective at reducing tooth decay among our public health population,” she said.
A report from the National Toxicology Program found “fluoride levels above 1.5 milligrams per liter in drinking water” can reduce children’s IQ, Shamp said.
Furthermore, the senator said “excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis,” a condition that occurs when someone ingests too much fluoride.
Dental fluorosis can cause tooth discoloration, according to the Cleveland Medical Clinic.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found 41% of children ages 12 to 15 had dental fluorosis. The study also showed 36% of people aged 16 to 19 had the condition.
Shamp also noted dental fluorosis has been “connected to weakened bones, increased fracture risks, arthritis, and thyroid dysfunction, although these usually occur at higher exposure levels.”
As the bill banning flouride progresses, Shamp said she expects “pushback from local governments and public health agencies.”
If SB 1019 becomes law, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality would enforce it, Shamp told The Center Square. She added enforcement would be intended to “ensure compliance, not to punish local providers.”
If Arizona were to pass SB 1019, it would join Florida and Utah as the only states that prohibit fluoridation of their water systems.
Shamp said if the Arizona Legislature passes the bill, she expects Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, to veto it.
“I believe it’s important to force this conversation and put lawmakers on record,” Shamp said.
The senator added that Arizona needs to “embrace medical liberty and protect our citizens’ health by ensuring that our drinking water remains free of unnecessary chemicals.”
