Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Claims About Fluoride and IQ Are Unfounded

During President Donald Trump’s televised Cabinet meeting on April 10, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy said that scientific research indicates that exposure to fluoride, a common mineral that helps prevent tooth decay, is associated with IQ loss in children. 

“We are working at HHS to advance your agenda to make America healthy again,” Kennedy told Trump at the meeting. “I’m working with [Environmental Protection Agency Administrator] Lee Zeldin on—to reassess the fluoride rules based upon the August release by the National Toxicity Program of new science that shows a direct inverse correlation between exposure to fluoride and IQ loss, particularly in children.”