The ongoing war with Iran is now starting to affect not only gas prices, but also drinking water here in the United States.
New reports show the war in the Middle East has significantly reduced production of fluorosilicic acid, the key chemical used to fluoridate public water. Much of the global supply comes from Israel, where production has dropped as workers are diverted to military service.
“That has led to decreased production, and supply shortages for the U.S. market,” said Dan Hartnett, chief policy officer for the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies in a press release.
That disruption is now creating real shortages across the US, with some water utilities already cutting fluoride levels or stopping treatment altogether.
In several cases, systems serving hundreds of thousands of residents have reduced fluoride concentrations well below the recommended levels, while others have temporarily run out.
According to the utility’s most recent water quality reports, Charlotte Water typically adds around 0.7 milligrams per liter, which is the level recommended by federal health agencies.
That amount is considered well below the federal safety limit and is designed to balance dental health benefits while minimizing risks.
Charlotte has a long history with fluoridation. The city began adding fluoride to its water supply in 1949, making it one of the first in North Carolina to do so.
Across the state, most residents connected to public water systems receive fluoridated water, though some nearby counties have recently moved to stop adding it altogether.
As the national conversation continues, Charlotte remains aligned with longstanding public health guidance that supports fluoridation as a low-cost way to improve dental health.
For residents, the issue highlights a broader question now being debated across the country: whether the benefits of fluoride in drinking water still outweigh the growing concerns.
