Bill to remove fluoride from Arkansas water fails | Here’s why
The bill that would remove fluoride from Arkansas water failed to pass. However, lawmakers say that this won’t be their last attempt.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is often credited with preventing tooth decay, and it is currently at the center of a heated debate in Arkansas.
Republican State Sen. Clint Penzo, (R-Springdale) introduced Senate Bill 2, which sought to repeal the state’s mandate requiring water systems serving over 5,000 people to fluoridate their water.
During the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee meeting on Wednesday, Sen. Penzo questioned the practice.
“I would just like you to think about whether we should be mandating a drug to be put in our water supply when we can’t regulate the dosage,” he asked.
Numerous testimonies were heard on both sides of the issue.
“All we talk about are the benefits of fluoride and what it does for cavities, but we don’t want to talk about the systemic effects on the brain, on the joints, and on the kidneys. Are people not allowed to know this information,” argued one speaker in opposition to fluoridation.
The support for fluoridation was countered by highlighting oral health concerns.
“The challenge our state already owns is being last in oral health. Removing fluoride from water will have a negative impact on Arkansans’ oral health. In fact, removing it will burden those with lower incomes and pre-existing oral health conditions,” argued another speaker.
After a long discussion, Senate Bill 2 ultimately failed in committee by a narrow margin of 4-4 during a roll call vote. For it to have passed, it required five votes to advance.
However, despite the setback, Senator Penzo remains determined. Following the vote, he spoke about what his next steps would be.
“I have a separate bill in state agencies that addresses more of an opt-out instead of removing the mandate. It has a higher probability of passing than this does,” he said.
Right now, Hawaii is the only state that has fully banned fluoridation.
Some other states have introduced similar legislation, but none of them have succeeded in getting rid of the fluoridation mandates.
For now, the fluoridation law in Arkansas remains intact. Though Sen. Penzo’s alternate bill could re-spark the debate on whether or not local water systems should be able to opt out of the fluoridation requirements.
