Sen. Bob Smith (R-N.H.), chairman of the Environment & Public Works committee, has asked EPA to review its standard for fluoride in drinking water because of some recent scientific reports showing potential adverse effects from fluoride exposure. In a letter to J. Charles Fox, EPA assistant administrator for water, Smith wrote, “I urge EPA to conduct an in-depth analysis of fluoride in drinking water based on the best available, peer-reviewed science, as required by the [Safe Drinking Water act Amendments of 1996 (SDWA)], and also to evaluate whether fluoride additives, including fluorosilicates, provide a safe alternative to sodium fluoride added to drinking water.” In addition, Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy & Environment, has written to EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner asking 20 questions about EPA’s standard of 4 mg per L for fluoride in drinking water. Fluoride is now added to the drinking water supplied to about 50% of the U.S. Population. SDWA requires EPA to review drinking water standards between August 2000 and August 2002.

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