A federal appeals court has overturned a ruling requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in public water systems.
Five notes:
1. The latest ruling stems from an earlier lawsuit in which a group of citizens sued EPA after the agency denied a petition to end community water fluoridation.
2. In September 2024, a federal judge sided with the citizens and ordered EPA to “engage with a regulatory response.”
3. Several dental organizations urged EPA to appeal the ruling after pointing out potential issues with data cited in the court ruling claiming that fluoride poses a risk to human health.
4. EPA filed its appeal in January 2025.
5. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with EPA May 21, finding that the lower court abused its discretion by commandeering the case, according to court documents.
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