Fluoride
City of Gulfport
Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems. Read More.
Fluoride has been promoted as a chemical that reduces dental cavities. Yet it is now well-established that fluoride primarily exerts its protective effects through topical mechanisms, such as sodium fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash. In contrast, long-term ingestion of fluoride in water increases dental fluorosis, which includes mottling, pitting and weakening of the teeth. EPA's maximum legal limit is set at 4 parts per million (ppm) to prevent skeletal fluorosis, a condition where bones become brittle and more susceptible to fractures, although these effects may occur at lower doses.
Even fluoride levels of 0.7 ppm, the amount of fluoride in drinking water recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service, can result in too much fluoride for bottle-fed babies. EWG recommends that caregivers mix baby formula with fluoride-free water. The National Toxicology Program is investigating the potential for low doses of fluoride to alter thyroid function and childhood brain development.
Testing results - average by year
Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2014 | 0.242 ppm | 11 | 11 | 0.174 ppm - 0.412 ppm |
2015 | 0.264 ppm | 17 | 17 | 0.180 ppm - 0.403 ppm |
2016 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2017 | 0.259 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.178 ppm - 0.374 ppm |
2018 | 0.228 ppm | 17 | 17 | 0.160 ppm - 0.357 ppm |
2019 | 0.217 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.199 ppm - 0.234 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 4 ppm
ppm = parts per million
All test results
Date | Lab ID | Result |
---|---|---|
2014-04-09 | 140410-023IN | 0.225 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 140410-006IN | 0.235 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 140410-007IN | 0.231 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 140410-008IN | 0.231 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 140410-009IN | 0.175 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 140410-010IN | 0.177 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 140410-018IN | 0.412 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 140410-019IN | 0.214 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 140410-020IN | 0.174 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 140410-021IN | 0.374 ppm |
2014-04-09 | 140410-022IN | 0.216 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-004IN | 0.380 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-003IN | 0.364 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-005IN | 0.367 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-006IN | 0.214 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-007IN | 0.220 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-008IN | 0.215 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-009IN | 0.215 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-010IN | 0.272 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-015IN | 0.236 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-016IN | 0.243 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-017IN | 0.250 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-018IN | 0.256 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-019IN | 0.262 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-020IN | 0.180 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-025IN | 0.202 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-002IN | 0.403 ppm |
2015-03-04 | 150305-001IN | 0.205 ppm |
2017-05-10 | 170511-004IN | 0.374 ppm |
2017-05-10 | 170511-003IN | 0.178 ppm |
2017-05-10 | 170511-002IN | 0.330 ppm |
2017-05-10 | 170511-001IN | 0.197 ppm |
2017-05-22 | 170523-004IN | 0.215 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-030IN | 0.220 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-019IN | 0.184 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-020IN | 0.243 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-021IN | 0.347 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-022IN | 0.171 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-023IN | 0.160 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-024IN | 0.182 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-025IN | 0.293 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-026IN | 0.212 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-027IN | 0.165 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-028IN | 0.345 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-029IN | 0.193 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-031IN | 0.357 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-032IN | 0.208 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-033IN | 0.193 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-034IN | 0.204 ppm |
2018-10-16 | 181017-035IN | 0.192 ppm |
2019-10-14 | 191015-004IN | 0.234 ppm |
2019-10-14 | 191015-005IN | 0.199 ppm |