Washburn, ND ceases fluoride to municipal water supply

On 4.15.25 The city of Washburn, ND town commissioners passed the measure with a 4-1 vote, making Washburn one of several U.S. communities reevaluating water fluoridation practices in light of mounting scientific evidence that the chemical harms children’s health and provides little or no dental benefit. This decision followed the town commissioners’ discovery of a coordinated lobbying effort involving state health officials and the American Fluoridation Society allegedly funded by federal grants from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

This local action brought attention to a broader debate about public health policies and the influence of federal agencies.