Fluoride
Marion, City of
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 | 0.578 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.400 ppm - 0.790 ppm |
2015 | 0.642 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.470 ppm - 0.740 ppm |
2016 | 0.724 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.650 ppm - 0.800 ppm |
2017 | 0.816 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.680 ppm - 0.950 ppm |
2018 | 0.548 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.220 ppm - 0.830 ppm |
2019 | 0.682 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.230 ppm - 0.930 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-01-13 | 36874 | 0.500 ppm |
2014-04-07 | 93155 | 0.790 ppm |
2014-04-28 | 102986 | 0.650 ppm |
2014-07-15 | 150898 | 0.550 ppm |
2014-10-27 | 219728 | 0.400 ppm |
2015-01-06 | 257979 | 0.660 ppm |
2015-04-06 | 308409 | 0.690 ppm |
2015-04-28 | 319462 | 0.650 ppm |
2015-10-19 | 421753 | 0.740 ppm |
2015-12-21 | 464221 | 0.470 ppm |
2016-02-01 | 483890 | 0.650 ppm |
2016-04-12 | 526492 | 0.710 ppm |
2016-04-12 | 526435 | 0.700 ppm |
2016-07-11 | 580408 | 0.800 ppm |
2016-10-03 | 633964 | 0.760 ppm |
2017-01-10 | 680031 | 0.860 ppm |
2017-04-04 | 733920 | 0.780 ppm |
2017-04-17 | 743906 | 0.680 ppm |
2017-07-11 | 795494 | 0.810 ppm |
2017-09-25 | 846305 | 0.950 ppm |
2018-01-22 | 908078 | 0.220 ppm |
2018-04-09 | 938304 | 0.290 ppm |
2018-04-17 | 938308 | 0.650 ppm |
2018-07-09 | 1002757 | 0.750 ppm |
2018-10-09 | 1058208 | 0.830 ppm |
2019-01-08 | 1103078 | 0.230 ppm |
2019-04-10 | 1139363 | 0.840 ppm |
2019-04-10 | 1139362 | 0.930 ppm |
2019-07-09 | 1200344 | 0.650 ppm |
2019-10-08 | 1256593 | 0.760 ppm |