Fluoride
Middletown Water Department
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 | 0.413 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0400 ppm - 0.810 ppm |
2015 | 0.543 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0400 ppm - 1.09 ppm |
2016 | 0.488 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0400 ppm - 1.05 ppm |
2017 | 0.455 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0500 ppm - 0.940 ppm |
2018 | 0.483 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0500 ppm - 0.640 ppm |
2019 | 0.338 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0500 ppm - 0.630 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-06-09 | IOC1 200397419 | 0.810 ppm |
2014-06-09 | IOCR 200397420 | 0.0400 ppm |
2014-06-09 | IOCR 200397421 | 0.0600 ppm |
2014-06-09 | IOC1 200397418 | 0.740 ppm |
2015-05-26 | IOC1 200417356 | 0.990 ppm |
2015-05-26 | IOC1 200417357 | 1.09 ppm |
2015-05-26 | IOCR 200417358 | 0.0400 ppm |
2015-05-26 | IOCR 200417359 | 0.0500 ppm |
2016-06-20 | IOC1 200442684 | 0.810 ppm |
2016-06-20 | IOCR 200442685 | 0.0400 ppm |
2016-06-29 | IOC1 200443422 | 1.05 ppm |
2016-06-29 | IOCR 200443423 | 0.0500 ppm |
2017-05-16 | IOCS 200467163 | 0.770 ppm |
2017-05-16 | RIOC 200467168 | 0.0600 ppm |
2017-05-16 | RIOC 200467167 | 0.0500 ppm |
2017-05-16 | IOCS 200467165 | 0.940 ppm |
2018-03-01 | IOC1 200489001 | 0.640 ppm |
2018-03-01 | IOCR 200489002 | 0.0500 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 |