Fluoride
Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut - Stamford
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 | 0.420 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0600 ppm - 0.790 ppm |
2015 | 0.463 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0300 ppm - 0.900 ppm |
2016 | 0.228 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0500 ppm - 0.730 ppm |
2017 | 0.350 ppm | 4 | 4 | 0.0400 ppm - 0.690 ppm |
2018 | 0.305 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0700 ppm - 0.540 ppm |
2019 | 0.385 ppm | 2 | 2 | 0.0500 ppm - 0.720 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-01-07 | 201400283-IOC1 | 0.770 ppm |
2014-01-07 | 201400282-IOCR | 0.0600 ppm |
2014-05-05 | 201406146-IOCR | 0.0600 ppm |
2014-05-05 | 201406147-IOC1 | 0.790 ppm |
2015-01-06 | 201500350-IOCR | 0.0300 ppm |
2015-01-06 | 201500351-IOC1 | 0.900 ppm |
2015-08-03 | 201510462-IOCR | 0.0600 ppm |
2015-08-03 | 201510463-IOC1 | 0.860 ppm |
2016-01-11 | 201600500-IOC1 | 0.730 ppm |
2016-01-11 | 201600501-IOCR | 0.0700 ppm |
2016-01-11 | 201600503-IOCR | 0.0500 ppm |
2016-10-31 | 201615141-IOC1 | 0.0600 ppm |
2017-01-17 | 201701121-IOCR | 0.0400 ppm |
2017-01-17 | 201701124-IOC1 | 0.610 ppm |
2017-03-13 | 201703761-IOCR | 0.0600 ppm |
2017-03-13 | 201703762-IOC1 | 0.690 ppm |
2018-01-02 | 201800018-IOCR | 0.0700 ppm |
2018-01-02 | 201800021-IOC1 | 0.540 ppm |
2019-01-07 | 201900231-IOCR | 0.0500 ppm |
2019-01-07 | 201900234-IOC1 | 0.720 ppm |