Fluoride
Acton MUD
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 | 0.567 ppm | 14 | 14 | 0.332 ppm - 0.762 ppm |
2015 | 0.525 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.435 ppm - 0.588 ppm |
2016 | 0.550 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.550 ppm |
2017 | 0.465 ppm | 15 | 15 | 0.276 ppm - 0.678 ppm |
2018 | 0.450 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.401 ppm - 0.514 ppm |
2019 | 0.525 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.525 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-04-16 | Q1412086026 | 0.543 ppm |
2014-04-16 | Q1412086025 | 0.646 ppm |
2014-04-16 | Q1412086010 | 0.496 ppm |
2014-04-16 | Q1412086009 | 0.590 ppm |
2014-04-16 | Q1412086008 | 0.554 ppm |
2014-04-16 | Q1412086002 | 0.500 ppm |
2014-04-16 | Q1412086001 | 0.651 ppm |
2014-04-16 | Q1412086011 | 0.332 ppm |
2014-04-17 | Q1412419004 | 0.561 ppm |
2014-04-17 | Q1412419001 | 0.646 ppm |
2014-04-17 | Q1412419002 | 0.762 ppm |
2014-04-17 | Q1412419003 | 0.534 ppm |
2014-04-17 | Q1412419010 | 0.628 ppm |
2014-08-18 | Q1437417002 | 0.488 ppm |
2015-02-09 | Q1504919050 | 0.435 ppm |
2015-02-09 | Q1504919049 | 0.588 ppm |
2015-02-09 | Q1504919048 | 0.581 ppm |
2015-10-27 | Q1542356016 | 0.497 ppm |
2016-05-31 | Q1621309010 | 0.550 ppm |
2017-06-13 | Q1724575001 | 0.478 ppm |
2017-08-31 | Q1740574049 | 0.419 ppm |
2017-08-31 | Q1740574012 | 0.440 ppm |
2017-08-31 | Q1740574048 | 0.578 ppm |
2017-08-31 | Q1740574011 | 0.416 ppm |
2017-08-31 | Q1740574047 | 0.579 ppm |
2017-08-31 | Q1740574010 | 0.383 ppm |
2017-10-05 | Q1749124035 | 0.471 ppm |
2017-10-05 | Q1749124001 | 0.276 ppm |
2017-10-05 | Q1749124034 | 0.406 ppm |
2017-10-05 | Q1749124002 | 0.468 ppm |
2017-10-05 | Q1749124003 | 0.414 ppm |
2017-10-05 | Q1749124056 | 0.516 ppm |
2017-10-18 | Q1753761003 | 0.678 ppm |
2017-10-18 | Q1753761015 | 0.449 ppm |
2018-03-28 | Q1812936036 | 0.401 ppm |
2018-03-28 | Q1812936035 | 0.459 ppm |
2018-03-28 | Q1812936034 | 0.514 ppm |
2018-03-28 | Q1812936033 | 0.424 ppm |
2019-03-26 | Q1912275062 | 0.525 ppm |