Utah’s Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed a law Friday to prohibit fluoride in public drinking water amid a recent surge of concern over the mineral additive—despite decades of backing by public health officials—fueled in part by Health Secretary Robert F. Kenney Jr.’s claims of its potential health risks.

Utah is the first state to ban fluoride in public water systems, despite U.S. scientists supporting its use to prevent tooth decay.

Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill into law Thursday banning fluoride from the state's drinking water becoming the first to do so.

Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, despite widespread opposition from dentists and national health organizations.

Fluoride, a chemical commonly added to drinking water and dental hygiene products to prevent tooth decay, has been locally and nationally debated for decades. Supporters argued that it was an

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has signed a bill into law that prohibits any person or government entity from adding fluoride, which can prevent tooth decay, to the state's water systems. NBC News' George Solis has more on the ban and what some dentists have to say about it.

Utah became the first U.S. state to ban fluoride in its public water systems under bill signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox.

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox signed a bill banning fluoride from public water supplies. The ban will take effect in May.