The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study analyzed 2,514 children across 17 sites in 23 states, linking maternal exposure to measurable differences in early childhood cognition [3][4].
Researchers identified a change-point of 0.675 mg per liter (mg/L); at or above that level, each 0.5 mg/L increase in estimated fluoride exposure was associated with a nearly 3.5-point drop in problem-solving scores, according to the study.
The change-point is below the U.S. Public Health Service recommendation of 0.7 mg/L, and the strongest association was reported in children under age seven [5][3].
Study Methods and Cognitive Findings
The study was led by Ashley Malin of the University of Florida, according to NaturalNews.com [4][3].
Children whose mothers had higher estimated fluoride levels in public drinking water during pregnancy appeared to score lower on tests of fluid cognition, including problem-solving, memory, attention, and the ability to adapt to new information, the authors wrote [6].
The authors said the findings support calls for further research to identify when prenatal or childhood exposure matters most [3][7]. The study noted that associations appeared when fluoride levels were near or above the current U.S. recommended levels [8][2].
Fluoride Exposure, Mechanisms and Dental Perspectives
Approximately 73% of Americans receive fluoridated drinking water, a public health intervention dating to 1945 [9][10].
Animal and toxicological studies have linked fluoride to neurotoxic effects, and fluoride crosses the placenta and is incorporated into primary teeth, according to the study and prior research [11][12]. Fluoride crosses the placenta and is incorporated into primary teeth, according to "Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease" [12].
One text notes that the mammary gland and placenta seem to act as barriers that interfere with fluoride transfer to the milk or the fetus, though other researchers have questioned the existence of such a placental barrier [13].
A summary of reports on fluoride toxicity found that 25% of workers exposed to cryolite who developed skeletal fluorosis also showed signs of nervous system effects such as difficulty thinking, fatigue, and memory problems [14].
Dentists not involved in the study urged caution. Dr. Steve Mascarin said decisions involve risks and benefits.
Regulatory and Legal Battles Over Fluoride
In September 2024, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ruled that current fluoride levels require further review and asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to examine whether recommendations should be altered, according to court records [15][16]. The level Chen flagged was far lower than EPA's upper limit of 4.0 mg/L; EPA has appealed the decision [15].
The decision to appeal came from the solicitor general at the Department of Justice (DOJ), who reports to Pam Bondi and the White House, according to Children's Health Defense [15][17].
In August 2026, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. The National Toxicology Program published a report concluding with "moderate confidence" that higher levels of fluoride exposure in drinking water are consistently linked to lower IQs in kids, after years of efforts to suppress it, according to the group [19].
The National Toxicology Program published a controversial report concluding with moderate confidence that higher levels of fluoride exposure in drinking water are consistently linked to lower IQs in kids, according to Children's Health Defense [18][19].
Florida's top health official advised governments across the state to stop adding fluoride to their water, citing the neuropsychiatric risk, particularly for pregnant women and children, associated with the practice [20][21].
Regulatory and legal challenges to water fluoridation continue, with the EPA appealing a federal court ruling and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) directing a new safety evaluation [15].
References
- Fluoride in Pregnancy Tied to Lower Problem-Solving Scores, Study Finds. https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/fluoride-in-pregnancy-tied-to-lower-problem-solving-scores-study-finds-6080712
- Higher fluoride levels in public drinking water during pregnancy may be linked to differences in children's cognition scores, NIH-funded study finds - Ohio State Medical Center. https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/mediaroom/pressreleaselisting/higher-fluoride-levels-in-public-drinking-water-during-pregnancy-may-be-linked-to-differences-in-childrens-cognition-scores
- Study: Prenatal Fluoride Exposure Tied to Lower Cognitive Test Scores - NaturalNews.com, September 05, 2026.
- Study: Prenatal Fluoride Exposure Tied to Lower Cognitive Test Scores https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-09-05-prenatal-fluoride-exposure-lower-cognitive-test-scores.html
- Higher Fluoride Levels in Public Drinking Water During .... https://echochildren.org/higher-fluoride-levels-in-public-drinking-water-during-pregnancy-may-be-linked-to-differences-in-childrens-cognition-scores-nih-funded-study-finds/
- Fluoride during pregnancy may affect kids' reasoning abilities. https://fluoridealert.org/news/fluoride-during-pregnancy-may-affect-kids-reasoning-abilities/
- Higher prenatal fluoride exposure in public drinking water linked to .... https://echochildren.org/research-summaries/higher-prenatal-fluoride-exposure-in-public-drinking-water-linked-to-lower-fluid-cognition-scores-in-children/
- Higher fluoride levels in public drinking water during pregnancy may be linked to differences in children's cognition scores, NIH-funded study finds. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1140431
- Study links prenatal fluoride exposure to lower IQ scores in children. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-08-21-prenatal-fluoride-exposure-linked-to-lower-iq.html
- Study links prenatal fluoride exposure to lower IQ scores in children - NaturalNews.com, August 21, 2026.
- Maternal Fluoride Exposure During Pregnancy C - Mercola.com, October 03, 2017.
- Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease Eleventh Edition.
- Trace Elements in Human Health and Disease Volume II Essential and Toxic Elements.
- Health and Nutrition Secrets. by Russell L Blaylock, MD
- Trump’s DOJ Says EPA Will Appeal Landmark Fluoride Ruling. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/trump-doj-epa-will-appeal-landmark-fluoride-ruling/
- Breaking: Fluoride in Water Poses ‘Unreasonable Risk’ to Children, Federal Judge Rules. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/fluoridation-risk-kids-landmark-decision/
- Trump’s DOJ Says EPA Will Appeal Landmark Fluoride Ruling. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/trump-doj-epa-will-appeal-landmark-fluoride-ruling/?bbFormId=e30a2e09-65d3-4e4b-8840-08276f29741d
- CDC Stands by Water Fluoridation After Report Linking Fluoride to Lower IQs in Kids Finally Published. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/ntp-fluoride-report-neurotoxic-kids-published/?bbFormId=e30a2e09-65d3-4e4b-8840-08276f29741d
- CDC Stands by Water Fluoridation After Report Linking Fluoride to Lower IQs in Kids Finally Published. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/ntp-fluoride-report-neurotoxic-kids-published/
- Florida Surgeon General Urges End to Water Fluoridation. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/florida-surgeon-general-urges-end-water-fluoridation/
- Florida Surgeon General Urges End to Water Fluoridation. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/florida-surgeon-general-urges-end-water-fluoridation/?bbFormId=e30a2e09-65d3-4e4b-8840-08276f29741d
Please contact us for more information.
