Fluoride
El Paso Water Utilities
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 | 0.735 ppm | 17 | 17 | 0.503 ppm - 1.18 ppm |
2015 | 0.366 ppm | 14 | 14 | 0.124 ppm - 0.906 ppm |
2016 | 0.753 ppm | 3 | 3 | 0.708 ppm - 0.794 ppm |
2017 | 0.768 ppm | 21 | 21 | 0.457 ppm - 1.60 ppm |
2018 | 0.445 ppm | 12 | 12 | 0.154 ppm - 1.03 ppm |
2019 | 0.444 ppm | 3 | 3 | 0.125 ppm - 0.652 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 |
---|---|---|
2014-04-24 | Q1413114009 | 0.866 ppm |
2014-04-24 | Q1413114008 | 1.18 ppm |
2014-04-24 | Q1413114007 | 0.503 ppm |
2014-04-24 | Q1413114006 | 0.656 ppm |
2014-04-28 | Q1413580013 | 0.618 ppm |
2014-04-28 | Q1413580012 | 0.978 ppm |
2014-04-28 | Q1413580014 | 0.746 ppm |
2014-04-28 | Q1413580034 | 0.610 ppm |
2014-04-28 | Q1413580035 | 0.646 ppm |
2014-06-30 | Q1424630013 | 0.728 ppm |
2014-06-30 | Q1424630012 | 0.666 ppm |
2014-06-30 | Q1424630011 | 0.694 ppm |
2014-09-11 | Q1443615002 | 0.706 ppm |
2014-10-20 | Q1453050017 | 0.540 ppm |
2014-10-20 | Q1453050016 | 0.558 ppm |
2014-11-13 | Q1455930007 | 0.692 ppm |
2014-12-09 | Q1459148002 | 1.10 ppm |
2015-02-23 | Q1507037008 | 0.474 ppm |
2015-03-31 | Q1511708016 | 0.149 ppm |
2015-03-31 | Q1511708015 | 0.244 ppm |
2015-03-31 | Q1511708014 | 0.176 ppm |
2015-03-31 | Q1511708013 | 0.200 ppm |
2015-03-31 | Q1511708012 | 0.210 ppm |
2015-04-01 | Q1511987017 | 0.220 ppm |
2015-04-01 | Q1511987018 | 0.260 ppm |
2015-04-01 | Q1511987019 | 0.396 ppm |
2015-06-02 | Q1520193005 | 0.124 ppm |
2015-06-29 | Q1524410015 | 0.566 ppm |
2015-06-29 | Q1524410014 | 0.602 ppm |
2015-06-29 | Q1524410013 | 0.603 ppm |
2015-11-09 | Q1544169007 | 0.906 ppm |
2016-05-04 | Q1617572011 | 0.794 ppm |
2016-05-04 | Q1617572010 | 0.708 ppm |
2016-05-04 | Q1617572009 | 0.756 ppm |
2017-03-01 | Q1708907018 | 0.624 ppm |
2017-03-01 | Q1708907017 | 1.07 ppm |
2017-03-01 | Q1708907016 | 0.719 ppm |
2017-03-01 | Q1708907015 | 0.597 ppm |
2017-03-07 | Q1709845015 | 0.646 ppm |
2017-03-07 | Q1709845014 | 0.656 ppm |
2017-03-07 | Q1709845013 | 0.637 ppm |
2017-03-07 | Q1709845012 | 0.990 ppm |
2017-05-02 | Q1718064005 | 0.598 ppm |
2017-05-04 | Q1718587018 | 0.589 ppm |
2017-05-04 | Q1718587004 | 0.630 ppm |
2017-05-04 | Q1718587017 | 0.641 ppm |
2017-08-28 | Q1738511009 | 0.549 ppm |
2017-11-16 | Q1758977015 | 0.644 ppm |
2017-11-16 | Q1758977014 | 0.480 ppm |
2017-11-16 | Q1758977013 | 0.652 ppm |
2017-11-29 | Q1761133009 | 1.60 ppm |
2017-11-29 | Q1761133001 | 1.55 ppm |
2017-11-30 | Q1761453003 | 0.738 ppm |
2017-11-30 | Q1761453026 | 1.06 ppm |
2017-11-30 | Q1761453014 | 0.457 ppm |
2018-06-06 | Q1822783003 | 0.515 ppm |
2018-06-07 | Q1822783018 | 0.505 ppm |
2018-07-10 | Q1826925018 | 1.03 ppm |
2018-11-13 | Q1845910014 | 0.154 ppm |
2018-11-13 | Q1845910009 | 0.553 ppm |
2018-11-13 | Q1845910019 | 0.810 ppm |
2018-11-14 | Q1845910034 | 0.184 ppm |
2018-11-14 | Q1845910047 | 0.162 ppm |
2018-11-14 | Q1845910024 | 0.234 ppm |
2018-11-14 | Q1845910039 | 0.367 ppm |
2018-11-14 | Q1845910029 | 0.258 ppm |
2018-11-15 | Q1846719011 | 0.568 ppm |
2019-06-26 | Q1940399014 | 0.555 ppm |
2019-06-26 | Q1940399004 | 0.652 ppm |
2019-11-14 | Q1976997010 | 0.125 ppm |