Fluoride
Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority
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 | 0.0705 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0690 ppm - 0.0719 ppm |
2015 | 0.103 ppm | 12 | 12 | 0.0815 ppm - 0.126 ppm |
2016 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2017 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2018 | ND | 12 | 0 | ND |
2019 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
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 |
---|---|---|
2014-10-28 | L3625373-2 | 0.0719 ppm |
2014-10-28 | L3625373-1 | 0.0690 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-12 | 0.103 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-8 | 0.116 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-7 | 0.0948 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-11 | 0.0898 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-6 | 0.0872 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-5 | 0.0897 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-9 | 0.0985 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-4 | 0.119 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-3 | 0.112 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-10 | 0.0815 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-1 | 0.126 ppm |
2015-04-14 | L5536113-2 | 0.120 ppm |
2018-01-16 | L6992546-5 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992545-5 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992546-4 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992545-6 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992546-6 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992546-1 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992545-4 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992545-3 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992546-3 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992545-2 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992546-2 | ND |
2018-01-16 | L6992545-1 | ND |