Commissioners deadlock on immediate end to water fluoridation after heated public comments

Commissioners at the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Feb. 5, 2025 voted 3-3 on a motion to stop the county’s process of adding fluoride to the drinking water, defeating an effort to end fluoridation immediately.

The motion, made by Commissioner Joshua Wostel (District 7) and seconded by Commissioners Christine Miller and Donna Cameron Cepeda, would have directed staff to terminate the water-resources process that adds fluoride at the county’s current target of 0.7 milligrams per liter. Wostel opened his remarks by citing a federal judge’s finding and saying, “the court finds that fluoridation of water at 0.7 milligrams per liter…the level presently considered ‘optimal’ in the United States, poses an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children.”

The question drew sustained public comment. Speakers who urged removal included Debbie Potts, a former Hillsborough County teacher, who said the “recent research has suggested there might be more serious risk to children’s development,” and Amanda Bruno, who called fluoridation “forced exposure” and said, “I demand to know the true necessity of fluoride in our water supply.” Nurse practitioner Pat Metcalfe told the board the product in the system is “harmful if swallowed” and argued residents lack informed consent.

Health professionals who urged caution included Dr. Natalie Carbostillo, a practicing pediatric dentist in Riverview, who asked the board to hold a workshop “where all experts and interested individuals can attend to speak to the pros and the cons of water fluoridation.” Ashley Tate, a board-certified pediatric dentist, told commissioners that professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association continue to endorse community water fluoridation and that removal could increase dental decay, particularly among low-income children. Tate said research showing harm often relied on areas with much higher fluoride concentrations than used in U.S. community fluoridation programs.

Supporters of immediate removal pointed to recent legal and scientific developments. Public commenters and Commissioner Wostel referenced a federal court ruling finding the fluoridation level of 0.7 mg/L poses an “unreasonable risk” to children’s IQ; several speakers also cited guidance from Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and a National Toxicology Program report. Wostel read figures from the court record saying pooled analyses showed “a 1-point drop in IQ…for each 0.28 milligrams per liter of fluoride in a pregnant mother’s urine,” and he told the board that maternal urinary fluoride concentrations in U.S. populations can be in ranges the court found concerning.

Commissioner Harry Cohen (District 1) and others urged caution and a broader review before ending county fluoridation. Cohen said the Centers for Disease Control and federal public-health guidance continue to recommend 0.7 mg/L and that national dental organizations identify community fluoridation as a longstanding public-health measure. “The absolute most that we should do under the circumstances is schedule a workshop with medical professionals who are both for and against the fluoride being placed into the water,” Cohen said.

When the motion was called, Commissioners Chris Bowles (District 6), Harry Cohen and Ken Hagan (District 2) voted no, while Commissioners Joshua Wostel, Christine Miller and Donna Cameron Cepeda voted yes, producing a 3-3 tie; the motion failed. The board did not adopt an immediate policy change. Commissioner Cohen said he would pursue a workshop that brings medical experts on both sides to a future meeting.

Clarifying details included during testimony: speakers said the county’s natural fluoride level is about 0.4–0.5 mg/L and that the county-added target is 0.7 mg/L; some speakers said the National Toxicology Program identified neurodevelopmental harm at higher concentrations (1.5 mg/L) while the federal judge’s analysis cited effects at lower levels when combined with other exposure measures. Multiple public speakers also pointed to the industrial origin of the fluoride chemicals used in some water systems and cited safety-data-sheet language for hydrofluorosilicic acid; dentists in the room emphasized that topical fluoride treatments and home filtration options exist.

The board did not adopt additional measures at the Feb. 5 meeting beyond the failed motion. Commissioners indicated a willingness from several members to schedule a public workshop for expert presentations and to revisit the subject with more technical testimony and staff analysis.

Ending: The item remains open. The immediate motion to stop adding fluoride failed; several commissioners and staff said they will arrange a broader, expert-led discussion for a future meeting so the board can consider technical evidence, legal developments and public-health guidance before taking permanent action.