FLUORIDE FACT SHEET  

Brief Overview:
Contaminant: Fluoride
Category: Inorganic
MCL:
Source: Fluoridated water, fertilizer, aluminum
Effect: Skeletal and dental damage
Followup:
Treatment:

Details:
Source:
Fluoride is added to drinking water at the rate of approximately 1 ppm (mg/l) to help prevent cavities in teeth. Excessive levels of fluoride can occur due to malfunctioning fluoride injection equipment or natural deposits in the soil.

Effect:
Skeletal and dental damage.

Followup:
Verification of high readings is suggested.

Treatment:
Excessive levels of fluoride are commonly reduced by distillation, reverse osmosis, activated alumina.
Addition of fluoride to water is commonly done by trained water company professionals. Addition to home water is not recommended, consult your dentist for fluoride supplements.
Ideal levels of fluoride in water are considered to be around 1.0 ppm or mg/l.
Levels over 4 ppm or mg/l are considered excessive.