Fluoride
City of Arvada
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 | 0.675 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.530 ppm - 0.820 ppm |
2015 | 0.590 ppm | 6 | 6 | 0.360 ppm - 0.710 ppm |
2016 | 0.618 ppm | 9 | 9 | 0.110 ppm - 0.840 ppm |
2017 | 0.609 ppm | 7 | 7 | 0.1000 ppm - 0.820 ppm |
2018 | 0.675 ppm | 10 | 10 | 0.600 ppm - 0.780 ppm |
2019 | 0.496 ppm | 7 | 7 | 0.110 ppm - 0.860 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 | Result |
---|---|
2014-02-12 | 0.820 ppm |
2014-05-19 | 0.530 ppm |
2015-02-11 | 0.610 ppm |
2015-05-12 | 0.620 ppm |
2015-06-16 | 0.710 ppm |
2015-08-05 | 0.580 ppm |
2015-08-05 | 0.360 ppm |
2015-11-09 | 0.660 ppm |
2016-02-11 | 0.110 ppm |
2016-05-14 | 0.670 ppm |
2016-06-21 | 0.240 ppm |
2016-08-16 | 0.790 ppm |
2016-08-16 | 0.740 ppm |
2016-10-04 | 0.730 ppm |
2016-10-25 | 0.690 ppm |
2016-10-25 | 0.840 ppm |
2016-11-08 | 0.750 ppm |
2017-02-07 | 0.820 ppm |
2017-05-16 | 0.780 ppm |
2017-06-13 | 0.580 ppm |
2017-08-30 | 0.520 ppm |
2017-08-30 | 0.1000 ppm |
2017-10-03 | 0.720 ppm |
2017-11-07 | 0.740 ppm |
2018-02-06 | 0.660 ppm |
2018-05-15 | 0.650 ppm |
2018-05-22 | 0.780 ppm |
2018-08-21 | 0.670 ppm |
2018-08-21 | 0.740 ppm |
2018-10-28 | 0.675 ppm |
2018-11-06 | 0.710 ppm |
2018-11-06 | 0.600 ppm |
2018-11-14 | 0.654 ppm |
2018-11-20 | 0.609 ppm |
2019-02-12 | 0.110 ppm |
2019-05-14 | 0.140 ppm |
2019-05-14 | 0.650 ppm |
2019-08-06 | 0.710 ppm |
2019-08-06 | 0.860 ppm |
2019-10-23 | 0.340 ppm |
2019-11-12 | 0.660 ppm |