Fluoride
Lewisburg Water Works
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 | 0.970 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.940 ppm - 1.000 ppm |
2015 | 0.950 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.949 ppm - 0.950 ppm |
2016 | 0.689 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.648 ppm - 0.729 ppm |
2017 | 0.684 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.682 ppm - 0.685 ppm |
2018 | 0.706 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.634 ppm - 0.777 ppm |
2019 | 0.719 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.719 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 |
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