Fluoride
Cypress Springs SUD N Plant 1 and NE Plant
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 | 0.122 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.116 ppm - 0.128 ppm |
2015 | 0.106 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.102 ppm - 0.109 ppm |
2016 | 0.0273 ppm | 2 | 1 | ND - 0.0545 ppm |
2017 | 0.0700 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0627 ppm - 0.0773 ppm |
2018 | 0.0723 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0643 ppm - 0.0803 ppm |
2019 | 0.0585 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0460 ppm - 0.0709 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-06-18 | Q1422142002 | 0.128 ppm |
2014-06-18 | Q1422142003 | 0.116 ppm |
2015-09-22 | Q1537064003 | 0.109 ppm |
2015-09-22 | Q1537064006 | 0.102 ppm |
2016-03-28 | Q1612650005 | ND |
2016-03-28 | Q1612650006 | 0.0545 ppm |
2017-03-15 | Q1711217001 | 0.0773 ppm |
2017-03-15 | Q1711217002 | 0.0627 ppm |
2018-02-21 | Q1807254003 | 0.0803 ppm |
2018-02-21 | Q1807254009 | 0.0643 ppm |
2019-03-04 | Q1909014004 | 0.0709 ppm |
2019-03-04 | Q1909014005 | 0.0460 ppm |