Fluoride
NJ American Water - Western
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
2014 | 0.198 ppm | 30 | 25 | ND - 0.400 ppm |
2015 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
2016 | 0.0950 ppm | 4 | 2 | ND - 0.200 ppm |
2017 | 0.281 ppm | 32 | 24 | ND - 0.630 ppm |
2018 | ND | 2 | 0 | ND |
2019 | 0.0450 ppm | 4 | 1 | ND - 0.180 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-01-08 | 24566301 | ND |
2014-04-04 | 25402001 | ND |
2014-04-04 | 25405501 | ND |
2014-06-12 | 25400201 | 0.370 ppm |
2014-06-12 | L5106514-3 | 0.187 ppm |
2014-06-12 | 25399201 | 0.180 ppm |
2014-06-12 | 25801801 | 0.190 ppm |
2014-06-12 | L5106514-6 | 0.371 ppm |
2014-06-12 | L5106514-2 | 0.0837 ppm |
2014-06-12 | L5106514-5 | 0.206 ppm |
2014-06-12 | 25400401 | 0.220 ppm |
2014-06-12 | L5106514-1 | 0.224 ppm |
2014-06-12 | 25403101 | ND |
2014-06-12 | L5106514-4 | 0.0945 ppm |
2014-06-30 | L5127619-1 | 0.0568 ppm |
2014-06-30 | L5127619-2 | 0.307 ppm |
2014-06-30 | L5127619-3 | 0.320 ppm |
2014-06-30 | 25801001 | 0.330 ppm |
2014-06-30 | 25798301 | ND |
2014-07-08 | L5148621-3 | 0.316 ppm |
2014-07-24 | 25402301 | 0.310 ppm |
2014-07-29 | 25402601 | 0.300 ppm |
2014-07-29 | 25403301 | 0.400 ppm |
2014-07-29 | 25801401 | 0.280 ppm |
2014-07-30 | L5178844-2 | 0.270 ppm |
2014-07-30 | L5178844-3 | 0.398 ppm |
2014-08-12 | L5206215-1 | 0.0460 ppm |
2014-08-20 | 26207201 | 0.190 ppm |
2014-08-20 | L5210769-2 | 0.211 ppm |
2014-09-22 | L5255129-1 | 0.0652 ppm |
2015-01-12 | 27863701 | ND |
2015-09-29 | L5832866-2 | ND |
2016-01-04 | 31135401 | ND |
2016-01-21 | L6025921-1 | ND |
2016-08-08 | 33098201 | 0.200 ppm |
2016-08-11 | L6419555-1 | 0.180 ppm |
2017-01-05 | 34460001 | ND |
2017-04-13 | 35355001 | 0.320 ppm |
2017-04-13 | 35356001 | 0.360 ppm |
2017-04-13 | 35355201 | 0.250 ppm |
2017-06-23 | 35986401 | 0.200 ppm |
2017-06-23 | 35354601 | ND |
2017-06-23 | 35355801 | ND |
2017-06-26 | 35349201 | 0.180 ppm |
2017-06-27 | 35990201 | ND |
2017-06-27 | 35991301 | 0.290 ppm |
2017-06-27 | 36533601 | 0.330 ppm |
2017-06-27 | 35352701 | 0.330 ppm |
2017-07-25 | 35352901 | 0.230 ppm |
2017-07-25 | 36527701 | 0.200 ppm |
2017-08-29 | L6943905-2 | ND |
2017-08-29 | L6943905-5 | 0.560 ppm |
2017-08-29 | L6943905-3 | 0.570 ppm |
2017-08-29 | L6943905-1 | 0.470 ppm |
2017-08-29 | L6943905-4 | 0.550 ppm |
2017-08-29 | L6943905-6 | 0.490 ppm |
2017-08-30 | L6944262-4 | ND |
2017-08-30 | 37194801 | ND |
2017-08-30 | L6944262-1 | 0.550 ppm |
2017-08-30 | L6944262-2 | 0.630 ppm |
2017-08-30 | 37194201 | 0.180 ppm |
2017-08-30 | L6944262-3 | 0.440 ppm |
2017-09-14 | L6951963-6 | 0.260 ppm |
2017-09-14 | L6951963-5 | 0.360 ppm |
2017-09-14 | L6951963-4 | 0.490 ppm |
2017-09-14 | L6951963-3 | 0.430 ppm |
2017-09-14 | L6951963-2 | ND |
2017-09-14 | L6951963-1 | 0.330 ppm |
2018-01-10 | 38457001 | ND |
2018-04-30 | 18-2391 | ND |
2019-02-05 | 43293901 | ND |
2019-06-05 | 19-3251.1 | ND |
2019-12-05 | 47756801 | 0.180 ppm |
2019-12-23 | 19-8761.1 | ND |