Arizona moves to ban fluoride in drinking water over health concerns

Arizona may soon join two other US states in banning fluoride from public drinking water. State Senator Janae Shamp has introduced a bill to stop water fluoridation, arguing it removes personal choice and poses health risks. The proposal has already cleared a key committee hurdle and now heads to the full Senate for debate.

Senate Bill 1019, put forward by Sen. Janae Shamp of Surprise, seeks to prohibit fluoride and fluoride compounds in Arizona's public water systems. Shamp, a registered nurse, claims the move would curb government overreach and protect healthcare freedom. She argues that mandatory fluoridation ignores informed consent, especially since fluoride is already widely available in toothpaste and other products.

A report from the National Toxicology Program supports concerns about fluoride's effects, linking levels above 1.5 milligrams per litre in drinking water to lower IQ in children. Meanwhile, excessive fluoride intake has been tied to dental fluorosis, a condition causing tooth discolouration. CDC data shows 41% of children aged 12 to 15 and 36% of teens aged 16 to 19 already exhibit signs of fluorosis.

If passed, the bill would make Arizona the third state—after Florida and Utah—to ban water fluoridation. Both states enacted similar prohibitions in 2025, partly due to health concerns raised by critics like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has called fluoride 'industrial waste' and linked it to unproven cancer risks. Shamp anticipates resistance from local governments and public health agencies as the bill moves forward.

The Senate Committee on Government has advanced SB 1019 to a full vote, bringing Arizona closer to a potential fluoride ban. The decision will determine whether residents can opt out of fluoridated water, with supporters citing health and autonomy as key reasons. Opponents, however, are likely to challenge the bill on public health grounds.