Fluoride
Middletown Water Department
Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems to prevent cavities and support oral health in people.
In 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services updated its recommendation of an optimal level of 0.7 parts per million, or ppm, added to drinking water based on the health benefits of tooth decay prevention. Studies have shown that fluoride added to community water systems at this level reduces dental cavities, especially in children.
And studies have conclusively shown that fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash can also provide these benefits.
Read More.
Health Concerns
Although the HHS-recommended level of 0.7 ppm can help promote oral health in children and adults, this level is likely too high for bottle-fed babies. EWG recommends that caregivers mix baby formula with fluoride-free water.
And fluoride in water at higher levels can be detrimental for everyone, especially children.
Long-term ingestion of higher levels of fluoride in water increases dental fluorosis, which includes mottling, pitting and weakening of the teeth in children.
A 2024 authoritative assessment by the National Toxicology Program found that higher levels of fluoride exposure, such as drinking water containing more than 1.5 ppm of fluoride, are associated with lower IQ in children. The conclusion was based on studies in human populations outside of the U.S.
Affecting systems with naturally occurring fluoride, 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 fracture. But these effects may occur at lower levels of exposure, raising concerns that the current limit may not adequately protect public health.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0.483 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0500 ppm - 0.640 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.338 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0500 ppm - 0.630 ppm |
| 2020 | 0.328 ppm | 4 | 2 | ND - 0.660 ppm |
| 2021 | 0.453 ppm | 4 | 2 | ND - 0.950 ppm |
| 2022 | 0.323 ppm | 4 | 2 | ND - 0.660 ppm |
| 2023 | 0.324 ppm | 4 | 2 | ND - 0.674 ppm |
ppm = parts per million
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 4 ppm
ppm = parts per million
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-01 | IOCR 200489002 | 0.0500 ppm |
| 2018-03-01 | IOC1 200489001 | 0.640 ppm |
| 2018-04-16 | IOC1 200492152 | 0.640 ppm |
| 2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492151 | 0.600 ppm |
| 2019-05-13 | IOC1 200531892 | 0.630 ppm |
| 2019-05-13 | IOCR 200531894 | 0.0700 ppm |
| 2019-05-21 | IOC1 200533082 | 0.600 ppm |
| 2019-05-21 | IOCR 200533084 | 0.0500 ppm |
| 2020-05-06 | IOC1 200574724 | 0.650 ppm |
| 2020-05-06 | IOCR 200574725 | ND |
| 2020-05-14 | IOC1 200575834 | 0.660 ppm |
| 2020-05-14 | IOCR 200575835 | ND |
| 2021-03-30 | IOC1 200611335 | 0.860 ppm |
| 2021-03-30 | IOCR 200611337 | ND |
| 2021-03-30 | IOC1 200611336 | 0.950 ppm |
| 2021-04-07 | IOCR 200612106 | ND |
| 2022-05-11 | E300182524 300182532 | 0.660 ppm |
| 2022-05-11 | E300182526 300182545 | 0.630 ppm |
| 2022-05-11 | I300182528 300182729 | ND |
| 2022-05-11 | I300182529 300182728 | ND |
| 2023-06-23 | E300370712 300370713 | 0.622 ppm |
| 2023-06-23 | E300370718 300370719 | 0.674 ppm |
| 2023-06-23 | I300370724 300370725 | ND |
| 2023-06-23 | I300370731 300370732 | ND |