Fluoride
Las Cruces Municipal Water System
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 | 0.499 ppm | 25 | 25 | 0.230 ppm - 0.700 ppm |
2015 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2016 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2017 | 0.392 ppm | 21 | 21 | 0.140 ppm - 0.630 ppm |
2018 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2019 | 0.488 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.250 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-03-04 | 1403363-002A | 0.520 ppm |
2014-03-04 | 1403356-002A | 0.270 ppm |
2014-03-04 | 1403357-002A | 0.360 ppm |
2014-03-04 | 1403359-002A | 0.260 ppm |
2014-03-04 | 1403362-002A | 0.520 ppm |
2014-03-04 | 1403299-002A | 0.550 ppm |
2014-03-04 | 1403361-002A | 0.510 ppm |
2014-03-04 | 1403301-002A | 0.560 ppm |
2014-03-04 | 1403360-002A | 0.490 ppm |
2014-03-04 | 1403297-002A | 0.700 ppm |
2014-06-11 | 1406663-002A | 0.490 ppm |
2014-06-11 | 1406640-002A | 0.510 ppm |
2014-06-11 | 1406659-002A | 0.700 ppm |
2014-06-11 | 1406647-002A | 0.660 ppm |
2014-06-11 | 1406648-002A | 0.670 ppm |
2014-06-11 | 1406656-002A | 0.690 ppm |
2014-06-11 | 1406641-002A | 0.520 ppm |
2014-07-14 | 1407771-002A | 0.270 ppm |
2014-07-14 | 1407775-002A | 0.230 ppm |
2014-07-14 | 1407767-002A | 0.420 ppm |
2014-07-14 | 1407773-002A | 0.570 ppm |
2014-07-14 | 1407770-002A | 0.450 ppm |
2014-07-14 | 1407768-002A | 0.300 ppm |
2014-07-14 | 1407772-002A | 0.700 ppm |
2014-08-27 | 1408F87-002A | 0.550 ppm |
2017-01-31 | 1702117-002 | 0.160 ppm |
2017-01-31 | 1702118-002 | 0.260 ppm |
2017-04-04 | 1704238-002 | 0.400 ppm |
2017-04-04 | 1704232-002 | 0.170 ppm |
2017-04-04 | 1704235-002 | 0.540 ppm |
2017-04-04 | 1704233-002 | 0.480 ppm |
2017-04-04 | 1704236-002 | 0.430 ppm |
2017-05-09 | 1705628-002 | 0.410 ppm |
2017-05-09 | 1705623-002 | 0.160 ppm |
2017-05-09 | 1705626-002 | 0.260 ppm |
2017-05-09 | 1705625-002 | 0.630 ppm |
2017-05-09 | 1705627-002 | 0.530 ppm |
2017-05-09 | 1705624-002 | 0.140 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 1706C20-002 | 0.420 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 1706C19-002 | 0.490 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 1706C21-002 | 0.630 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 1706C22-002 | 0.500 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 1706C17-002 | 0.470 ppm |
2017-07-11 | 1707747-002 | 0.260 ppm |
2017-10-11 | 1710842-001 | 0.570 ppm |
2017-10-17 | 1710A63-002 | 0.320 ppm |
2019-02-27 | 1902C33-002 | 0.630 ppm |
2019-02-27 | 1902C34-002 | 0.620 ppm |
2019-08-14 | 1908868-002 | 0.250 ppm |
2019-08-14 | 1908871-002 | 0.450 ppm |