Fluoride
White Plains City
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 | 0.723 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.626 ppm - 0.819 ppm |
2015 | 0.566 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.465 ppm - 0.666 ppm |
2016 | 0.608 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.433 ppm - 0.782 ppm |
2017 | 0.653 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.639 ppm - 0.667 ppm |
2018 | 0.695 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.685 ppm - 0.705 ppm |
2019 | 0.625 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.607 ppm - 0.643 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-06-25 | 14-6176 INP | 0.626 ppm |
2014-06-25 | 14-6185 INP | 0.819 ppm |
2015-06-23 | 15-6112 INP | 0.666 ppm |
2015-06-23 | 15-6103 INP | 0.465 ppm |
2016-06-22 | 16-8300 INP | 0.782 ppm |
2016-06-22 | 16-8299 INP | 0.433 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 17-6192-INP | 0.667 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 17-6190-INP | 0.639 ppm |
2018-06-20 | 18-6369 INP | 0.705 ppm |
2018-06-20 | 18-6370 INP | 0.685 ppm |
2019-06-18 | 19-6352 INP | 0.607 ppm |
2019-06-18 | 19-6351 INP | 0.643 ppm |