St. Clair County advisory board backs medical director's push to pursue county rules limiting addition of fluoride to municipal water

The St. Clair County Health Department Advisory Board on Oct. 7 voted to ask the health officer and medical director to draft county-level public-health regulations that would prohibit the addition of fluoride chemicals to municipal water systems.

The measure, which passed on a recorded vote, follows two hours of presentation and public and board discussion about recent court rulings, federal scientific reviews and local complaints by municipal water managers. Medical Director Dr. Nevin told the board he had prepared a draft memorandum and supporting Freedom of Information Act emails showing coordinated efforts he says have discouraged municipalities from discontinuing fluoridation. He said recent federal activity and an August 2024 National Toxicology Program report support a reassessment of community fluoridation.

The board's action directs the health officer and medical director to work with legal counsel and stakeholders to draft regulations for consideration by the board of commissioners. The board also voted separately to endorse the medical director's memorandum and distribute a department fact sheet to municipalities.

Why it matters: The medical director framed the matter as a public-health and regulatory issue with potential…