Fluoride
City of Center
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 0.0772 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0244 ppm - 0.130 ppm |
2015 | 0.201 ppm | 2 | 1 | ND - 0.401 ppm |
2016 | 0.0845 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0720 ppm - 0.0970 ppm |
2017 | 0.0694 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0651 ppm - 0.0736 ppm |
2018 | 0.0764 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0630 ppm - 0.0897 ppm |
2019 | 0.0475 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0420 ppm - 0.0529 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-02-10 | Q1403939003 | 0.0244 ppm |
2014-04-24 | Q1413382003 | 0.130 ppm |
2015-02-12 | Q1505982005 | ND |
2015-02-12 | Q1505982006 | 0.401 ppm |
2016-02-22 | Q1607423005 | 0.0720 ppm |
2016-05-17 | Q1619452003 | 0.0970 ppm |
2017-02-21 | Q1707177005 | 0.0736 ppm |
2017-04-06 | Q1714478005 | 0.0651 ppm |
2018-04-30 | Q1817448007 | 0.0897 ppm |
2018-05-03 | Q1818013003 | 0.0630 ppm |
2019-05-15 | Q1925671008 | 0.0529 ppm |
2019-05-15 | Q1925671009 | 0.0420 ppm |