Fluoride
New Britain 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 | 0.200 ppm | 5 | 1 | ND - 1.000 ppm |
2015 | 0.180 ppm | 5 | 1 | ND - 0.900 ppm |
2016 | 0.180 ppm | 5 | 1 | ND - 0.900 ppm |
2017 | 0.180 ppm | 5 | 1 | ND - 0.900 ppm |
2018 | 0.243 ppm | 6 | 6 | 0.0400 ppm - 0.620 ppm |
2019 | 0.146 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.0300 ppm - 0.600 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-05-23 | E405L07-2IOC1 | ND |
2014-05-23 | E405L07-3IOC1 | ND |
2014-05-23 | E405L07-4IOC1 | ND |
2014-05-23 | E405L07-1IOC1 | ND |
2014-07-10 | 10079-02941IOC1 | 1.000 ppm |
2015-05-21 | 7218-03331IOC1 | ND |
2015-05-21 | 7216-03329IOC1 | ND |
2015-05-21 | 7217-03330IOC1 | ND |
2015-05-21 | 7215-03328IOC1 | ND |
2015-06-22 | 9143-03275IOC1 | 0.900 ppm |
2016-05-19 | 7544-03714IOCR | ND |
2016-05-19 | 7546-03716IOCR | ND |
2016-05-19 | 7545-03715IOCR | ND |
2016-05-19 | 7547-03717IOCR | ND |
2016-07-13 | 10611-03602IOC1 | 0.900 ppm |
2017-05-16 | 5851-03846IOCR | ND |
2017-05-16 | 5854-03849IOCR | ND |
2017-05-16 | 5852-03847IOCR | ND |
2017-05-16 | 5853-03848IOCR | ND |
2017-07-11 | 8044-03895IOC1 | 0.900 ppm |
2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492147 | 0.0400 ppm |
2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492150 | 0.0700 ppm |
2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492148 | 0.0500 ppm |
2018-04-16 | IOCR 200492149 | 0.0600 ppm |
2018-06-20 | IOC1 200497534 | 0.620 ppm |
2018-06-20 | IOCR 200497534 | 0.620 ppm |
2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529606B | 0.0400 ppm |
2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529609E | 0.0300 ppm |
2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529607C | 0.0300 ppm |
2019-04-25 | IOCR 200529608D | 0.0300 ppm |
2019-06-12 | IOC1 200535995 | 0.600 ppm |