Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

Fluoride

CTWC - Naugatuck Region-Central System

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.

 

13

Samples

0

Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)

0

Samples exceeding
health guidelines

Testing results - average by year

 
YearAverage resultSamples takenDetectionsRange of results
20180.417 ppm330.0500 ppm - 0.610 ppm
20190.365 ppm220.0500 ppm - 0.680 ppm
20200.310 ppm21ND - 0.620 ppm
20210.320 ppm21ND - 0.640 ppm
20220.230 ppm21ND - 0.460 ppm
20230.270 ppm21ND - 0.540 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
2018-04-10CA17352IOC10.610 ppm
2018-06-11CA67844IOC10.590 ppm
2018-11-14IOCR 2005127360.0500 ppm
2019-01-16IOC1 2005189360.680 ppm
2019-01-18IOCR 2005191470.0500 ppm
2020-01-13IOC1 2005626940.620 ppm
2020-01-13IOCR 200562691ND
2021-04-06IOC1 2006119600.640 ppm
2021-04-06IOCR 200611959ND
2022-02-14CK666720.460 ppm
2022-02-14CK66670ND
2023-01-16CN248280.540 ppm
2023-01-16CN24826ND