Since the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency announced they were taking steps to create guidelines on and lower the fluoride in drinking water, the Suffolk County Water Authority has reminded residents that water they provide has never contained fluoride.
Fluoride was originally added to water to prevent tooth decay. However, recent studies by the National Academics of Science show that in high doses it can lead to fluorosis, which actually causes pitting and staining of teeth. Fluorosis occurs when an individual consumes an excess amount of fluoride during the tooth forming years before age 8.
The current recommended fluoride amount ranges from 0.7 to 1.2 mg/L. In light of the new evidence, the HHS is proposing to limit the amount to 0.7 mg/L and the EPA is initiating review of the maximum amount allowed in drinking water.
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“Today both HHS and EPA are making announcements on fluoride based on the most up to date scientific data,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, Peter Silva. “EPA’s new analysis will help us make sure that people benefit from tooth decay prevention while at the same time avoiding the unwanted health effects from too much fluoride.”
The Suffolk County Water Authority follows a different school of thought however, and does not believe in putting fluoride into drinking water.
“Though many water providers are being scrutinized for their use of fluoride in drinking water, the Authority takes pride in its commitment to offering residents the safest and cleanest water possible and has never included fluoride in its water,” Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Szabo said. The Suffolk County Water Authority serves approximately 1.2 million residents.
The HHS is currently accepting comments from the public and stakehoulders on the proposed recommendation, and expects to publish it by spring 2011. To comment, email CWFcomments@cdc.gov. To view the proposed recommendation visit
http://frwebgate2.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/TEXTgate.cgi?WAISdocID=W0YUwI/0/1/0&WAISaction=retrieve. Comments regarding the EPA documents, Fluoride: Dose-Response Analysis For Non-cancer Effects and Fluoride: Exposure and Relative Source Contribution Analysis should be sent to EPA at FluorideScience@epa.gov. These documents can be found at http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/fluoride_index.cfm
