Senator introduces bill to ban fluoride from drinking water

Sen. Janae Shamp, R-Surprise, is introducing Senate Bill 1019, which prohibits individuals and political subdivisions from adding fluoride or fluoride-containing compounds to public water systems.

Shamp said Utah and Florida have already gone this route.

“Fluoridation of our water is forced medication without informed consent,” Shamp told The Center Square Monday.

Shamp added that part of her motivation comes from “studies that the FDA is now putting out,” as well as information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Shamp also pointed to a 2024 federal court ruling that current fluoride levels pose an unreasonable risk to children’s IQ.

“That to me is something that we need to be looking at, and it shouldn’t be a partisan issue," said Shamp. "I think that Arizona should lead by example and protect our residents from any of these avoidable hazards.”

Shamp, a registered nurse, said she does not want to see people harmed.

“We’re talking about infants to the elderly that are ingesting a chemical that they don’t need,” Shamp said. “As a nurse, that offends me, and medical decisions should be personal and not mandated by the government.”

Not every person or organization supports the removal of fluoride. A study published in May by JAMA Health Forum finds that cessation of fluoridation of US public water systems is projected to "worsen oral health in children" and significantly increase the cost of health care. Researchers for the study, called Protected Outcomes of Removing Fluoride From US Public Water Systems, looked at data of 8,500 children around 9 years of age.

Shamp is not concerned.

“There are plenty of communities that have stopped fluoridation, and they have not seen a surge in cavities, and dental health crises stem more from other issues, right?” said Shamp. “To say that people may not necessarily be able to take care of their teeth or brush properly is kind of actually insulting.”

Pointing to her role as a legislator, Shamp said she believes elected officials have an “obligation” to make sure government is not “putting this chemical into anybody’s water when they don’t understand the risks.” Shamp said she is not alone, adding that opposition to fluoridation comes from all kinds of people, including scientists, doctors and public health advocates.

“There’s little benefit with lots of harm, and we all know that you can brush your teeth and keep you from getting cavities. We all know that if a dentist deems that you need fluoride on your teeth, you can get sealants for that,” said Shamp. “There are treatments for that, but to willy nilly put it into the water, I don’t believe it is any way to treat cavities.”