Fluoride
Emerald Coast 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 | 0.226 ppm | 28 | 25 | ND - 0.420 ppm |
2015 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2016 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2017 | 0.486 ppm | 56 | 42 | ND - 0.800 ppm |
2018 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
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 | Result |
---|---|
2014-07-10 | 0.0500 ppm |
2014-07-10 | 0.240 ppm |
2014-07-10 | 0.0540 ppm |
2014-07-10 | 0.0510 ppm |
2014-07-14 | 0.300 ppm |
2014-07-14 | 0.230 ppm |
2014-07-15 | 0.360 ppm |
2014-07-15 | 0.0510 ppm |
2014-07-15 | 0.320 ppm |
2014-07-15 | 0.0530 ppm |
2014-07-16 | 0.270 ppm |
2014-07-16 | 0.280 ppm |
2014-07-16 | 0.320 ppm |
2014-07-16 | 0.0480 ppm |
2014-07-22 | 0.320 ppm |
2014-07-22 | 0.400 ppm |
2014-07-22 | 0.360 ppm |
2014-07-22 | 0.340 ppm |
2014-07-23 | ND |
2014-07-23 | 0.310 ppm |
2014-07-23 | 0.260 ppm |
2014-07-23 | 0.330 ppm |
2014-07-29 | 0.320 ppm |
2014-07-29 | ND |
2014-07-29 | 0.260 ppm |
2014-07-29 | 0.420 ppm |
2014-08-13 | ND |
2014-08-13 | 0.370 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-06-20 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-06-27 | ND |
2017-06-27 | ND |
2017-06-28 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-06-28 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-06-29 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-06-29 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-07-11 | 0.500 ppm |
2017-07-11 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-07-11 | 0.800 ppm |
2017-07-11 | ND |
2017-07-11 | 0.500 ppm |
2017-07-11 | ND |
2017-07-11 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-07-11 | 0.800 ppm |
2017-07-17 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-07-17 | ND |
2017-07-17 | 0.800 ppm |
2017-07-17 | ND |
2017-07-17 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-07-17 | 0.800 ppm |
2017-07-17 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-07-17 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-07-19 | ND |
2017-07-19 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-07-19 | 0.800 ppm |
2017-07-19 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-07-19 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-07-19 | 0.800 ppm |
2017-07-19 | ND |
2017-07-19 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-07-19 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-07-19 | 0.600 ppm |
2017-07-24 | 0.500 ppm |
2017-07-24 | ND |
2017-07-24 | ND |
2017-07-24 | 0.500 ppm |
2017-07-24 | ND |
2017-07-24 | ND |
2017-07-25 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-07-25 | ND |
2017-07-25 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-07-25 | ND |
2017-08-30 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-08-30 | 0.700 ppm |
2017-09-06 | 0.400 ppm |
2017-09-06 | 0.500 ppm |
2017-09-06 | 0.500 ppm |
2017-09-06 | 0.400 ppm |