Fluoride
Owatonna
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.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 0.446 ppm | 12 | 10 | ND - 0.970 ppm |
| 2015 | 0.880 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.680 ppm - 1.000 ppm |
| 2016 | 0.725 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.620 ppm - 0.820 ppm |
| 2017 | 0.670 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.510 ppm - 0.800 ppm |
| 2018 | 0.534 ppm | 5 | 5 | 0.370 ppm - 0.620 ppm |
| 2019 | 0.563 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.540 ppm - 0.590 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 | 14A0362-01 | 0.910 ppm |
| 2014-02-10 | 14B0573-01 | 0.270 ppm |
| 2014-02-10 | 14B0569-04 | 0.250 ppm |
| 2014-02-10 | 14B0569-03 | 0.300 ppm |
| 2014-02-10 | 14B0569-02 | 0.330 ppm |
| 2014-02-10 | 14B0569-01 | ND |
| 2014-02-10 | 14B0568-04 | ND |
| 2014-02-10 | 14B0568-03 | 0.250 ppm |
| 2014-02-10 | 14B0568-02 | 0.250 ppm |
| 2014-04-30 | 14E0675-01 | 0.970 ppm |
| 2014-08-21 | 14H2141-01 | 0.960 ppm |
| 2014-10-29 | 14K0002-01 | 0.860 ppm |
| 2015-01-20 | 15A0824-01 | 1.000 ppm |
| 2015-04-20 | 15D1689-01 | 1.000 ppm |
| 2015-07-21 | 15G1703-01 | 0.840 ppm |
| 2015-10-08 | 15J0563-01 | 0.680 ppm |
| 2016-02-03 | 16B0438-01 | 0.670 ppm |
| 2016-05-10 | 16E1001-01 | 0.790 ppm |
| 2016-08-03 | 16H0321-01 | 0.620 ppm |
| 2016-10-18 | 16J0928-01 | 0.820 ppm |
| 2017-03-01 | 17C0181-01 | 0.680 ppm |
| 2017-04-26 | 17D2311-01 | 0.690 ppm |
| 2017-08-08 | 17H0987-01 | 0.800 ppm |
| 2017-10-26 | 17J1382-01 | 0.510 ppm |
| 2018-02-13 | 18B0817-01 | 0.560 ppm |
| 2018-05-16 | 18E1508-01 | 0.590 ppm |
| 2018-08-02 | 18H0326-01 | 0.370 ppm |
| 2018-09-13 | 18I0728-01 | 0.620 ppm |
| 2018-10-23 | 18J1274-01 | 0.530 ppm |
| 2019-02-01 | 19B0171-01 | 0.540 ppm |
| 2019-04-18 | 19D1332-01 | 0.590 ppm |
| 2019-07-11 | 19G0751-01 | 0.560 ppm |
| 2019-10-10 | 19J0813-01 | 0.560 ppm |