Fluoride
City of Chandler
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 | 0.600 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.600 ppm |
2015 | 0.588 ppm | 27 | 23 | ND - 1.60 ppm |
2016 | 0.660 ppm | 1 | 1 | 0.660 ppm |
2017 | 0.590 ppm | 3 | 3 | 0.470 ppm - 0.660 ppm |
2018 | 0.562 ppm | 30 | 26 | ND - 1.50 ppm |
2019 | 0.593 ppm | 29 | 29 | 0.230 ppm - 1.30 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-01-27 | 550-18401-1 | 0.600 ppm |
2015-01-13 | 550-38301-1I | 0.700 ppm |
2015-01-13 | 550-38298-1I | 0.830 ppm |
2015-01-13 | 550-38296-1I | 0.680 ppm |
2015-01-15 | 550-38544-1I | 0.680 ppm |
2015-01-15 | 550-38540-1I | 0.410 ppm |
2015-01-15 | 550-38538-1I | ND |
2015-01-20 | 550-38736-1I | ND |
2015-01-20 | 550-38733-1I | ND |
2015-01-20 | 550-38732-1I | 0.720 ppm |
2015-01-22 | 550-38882-1I | 0.480 ppm |
2015-01-22 | 550-38880-1I | 0.610 ppm |
2015-01-22 | 550-38883-1I | 0.570 ppm |
2015-01-26 | 550-39007-1I | 1.20 ppm |
2015-01-26 | 550-39006-1I | 0.570 ppm |
2015-01-26 | 550-39002-1I | 0.630 ppm |
2015-01-27 | 550-39066-1I | 0.630 ppm |
2015-01-27 | 550-39064-1I | 1.60 ppm |
2015-01-27 | 550-39062-1I | 0.470 ppm |
2015-01-29 | 550-39232-1I | 0.580 ppm |
2015-01-29 | 550-39230-1I | 0.470 ppm |
2015-01-29 | 550-39227-1I | 0.760 ppm |
2015-02-02 | 550-39348-1I | 0.580 ppm |
2015-02-02 | 550-39342-1I | 0.710 ppm |
2015-02-02 | 550-39345-1I | 0.470 ppm |
2015-02-03 | 550-39460-1I | ND |
2015-02-03 | 550-39459-1I | 0.750 ppm |
2015-02-03 | 550-39458-1I | 0.780 ppm |
2016-01-21 | 550-57604-4 | 0.660 ppm |
2017-02-01 | 550-76755-3I | 0.660 ppm |
2017-06-19 | 550-84660-1 IOC | 0.470 ppm |
2017-10-09 | 550-91145-1 | 0.640 ppm |
2018-01-23 | 550-96737-4 IOC | 0.750 ppm |
2018-01-23 | 550-96737-1 IOC | 1.30 ppm |
2018-01-23 | 550-96737-2 | 0.540 ppm |
2018-01-23 | 550-96737-3 | 1.50 ppm |
2018-01-24 | 550-96821-5 IOC | 0.410 ppm |
2018-01-24 | 550-96821-4 | 0.450 ppm |
2018-01-24 | 550-96821-3 IOC | 0.740 ppm |
2018-01-24 | 550-96821-2 IOC | 0.580 ppm |
2018-01-24 | 550-96821-1 | 0.420 ppm |
2018-01-25 | 550-96914-2 | 0.430 ppm |
2018-01-25 | 550-96914-3 | ND |
2018-01-25 | 550-96914-4 IOC | 0.620 ppm |
2018-01-25 | 550-96914-5 IOC | 0.600 ppm |
2018-01-25 | 550-96914-1 | 0.730 ppm |
2018-01-29 | 550-97023-4 | 0.500 ppm |
2018-01-29 | 550-97023-3 IOC | 0.430 ppm |
2018-01-29 | 550-97023-2 IOC | ND |
2018-01-29 | 550-97023-1 IOC | ND |
2018-01-30 | 550-97100-4 | ND |
2018-01-30 | 550-97100-3 | 0.470 ppm |
2018-01-30 | 550-97100-1 IOC | 0.580 ppm |
2018-01-30 | 550-7100-2 | 1.000 ppm |
2018-01-31 | 550-97179-1 | 0.410 ppm |
2018-02-01 | 550-97256-4 | 0.580 ppm |
2018-02-01 | 550-97256-1 | 0.540 ppm |
2018-02-01 | 550-97256-2 | 0.650 ppm |
2018-02-01 | 550-97256-3 | 0.690 ppm |
2018-03-05 | 550-98895-2 IOC | 0.690 ppm |
2018-03-05 | 550-98895-1 IOC | 0.650 ppm |
2018-06-28 | 550-105094-4 | 0.600 ppm |
2019-01-06 | 201901160317I | 0.340 ppm |
2019-01-14 | 201901140159I | 0.450 ppm |
2019-01-14 | 201901140158I | 0.520 ppm |
2019-01-15 | 201901150231I | 1.30 ppm |
2019-01-15 | 201901150230I | 0.570 ppm |
2019-01-15 | 201901150232I | 1.20 ppm |
2019-01-15 | 201901150233I | 0.730 ppm |
2019-01-16 | 201901160316I | 0.390 ppm |
2019-01-16 | 201901160315I | 0.620 ppm |
2019-01-16 | 201901160314I | 0.750 ppm |
2019-01-17 | 201901170209I | 0.610 ppm |
2019-01-17 | 201901170208I | 0.540 ppm |
2019-01-17 | 201901170207I | 0.650 ppm |
2019-01-22 | 201901220202I | 0.910 ppm |
2019-01-22 | 201901220200I | 0.320 ppm |
2019-01-22 | 201901220201I | 0.580 ppm |
2019-01-22 | 201901220203I | 0.350 ppm |
2019-01-22 | 201901220204I | 0.650 ppm |
2019-01-23 | 201901230351I | 0.670 ppm |
2019-01-23 | 201901230350I | 0.700 ppm |
2019-01-23 | 201901230349I | 0.870 ppm |
2019-01-24 | 201901240233I | 0.740 ppm |
2019-01-24 | 201901240232I | 0.380 ppm |
2019-01-24 | 201901240231I | 0.340 ppm |
2019-01-28 | 201901280136I | 0.480 ppm |
2019-01-28 | 201901280135I | 0.650 ppm |
2019-01-29 | 201901290207I | 0.270 ppm |
2019-01-29 | 201901290208I | 0.230 ppm |
2019-04-18 | 201904180299I | 0.400 ppm |