Fluoride
Midvale City Water System
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 | 0.167 ppm | 3 | 2 | ND - 0.300 ppm |
2015 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2016 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2017 | 0.307 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.200 ppm - 0.400 ppm |
2018 | 0.623 ppm | 24 | 24 | 0.240 ppm - 1.18 ppm |
2019 | 0.591 ppm | 22 | 22 | 0.200 ppm - 0.907 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 | Result |
---|---|
2014-05-29 | 0.300 ppm |
2014-05-29 | 0.200 ppm |
2014-09-30 | ND |
2017-05-04 | 0.200 ppm |
2017-05-08 | 0.400 ppm |
2017-05-10 | 0.400 ppm |
2017-06-09 | 0.235 ppm |
2017-07-14 | 0.300 ppm |
2018-01-08 | 0.668 ppm |
2018-01-08 | 0.663 ppm |
2018-02-13 | 0.865 ppm |
2018-02-13 | 0.873 ppm |
2018-03-13 | 0.820 ppm |
2018-03-13 | 0.818 ppm |
2018-04-11 | 0.804 ppm |
2018-04-11 | 0.939 ppm |
2018-05-09 | 0.517 ppm |
2018-05-09 | 0.454 ppm |
2018-06-15 | 0.399 ppm |
2018-06-15 | 0.389 ppm |
2018-07-09 | 0.327 ppm |
2018-07-09 | 0.342 ppm |
2018-08-08 | 0.319 ppm |
2018-08-08 | 0.329 ppm |
2018-09-14 | 0.455 ppm |
2018-09-14 | 0.320 ppm |
2018-10-09 | 0.707 ppm |
2018-10-09 | 0.641 ppm |
2018-11-05 | 0.925 ppm |
2018-11-05 | 0.945 ppm |
2018-12-04 | 1.18 ppm |
2018-12-04 | 0.240 ppm |
2019-01-08 | 0.868 ppm |
2019-01-08 | 0.907 ppm |
2019-02-08 | 0.594 ppm |
2019-02-08 | 0.569 ppm |
2019-03-29 | 0.209 ppm |
2019-03-29 | 0.200 ppm |
2019-04-24 | 0.510 ppm |
2019-04-24 | 0.497 ppm |
2019-05-09 | 0.712 ppm |
2019-05-09 | 0.668 ppm |
2019-06-12 | 0.519 ppm |
2019-06-12 | 0.609 ppm |
2019-07-10 | 0.521 ppm |
2019-07-10 | 0.546 ppm |
2019-08-28 | 0.825 ppm |
2019-08-28 | 0.776 ppm |
2019-10-23 | 0.771 ppm |
2019-10-23 | 0.779 ppm |
2019-11-19 | 0.347 ppm |
2019-11-19 | 0.266 ppm |
2019-12-10 | 0.648 ppm |
2019-12-10 | 0.670 ppm |