For more than half a century, the fluoridation of drinking water has been a topic of great controversy.
Fluoridation at recommended levels (0.7 - 1.2 mg/L*) is supported by the American Dental Association, the American Medical Association (AMA), the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Community water fluoridation has dramatically reduced child cavity rates and tooth decay where it has been implemented.
The only substantiated and serious health threat associated with fluoridated water is in relation to kidney dialysis. Fluoride must be removed from the water used in dialysis because the treatment forces patients to process 50 to 100 times the amount of fluid consumed by the average person and thus exposes them, potentially, to unnaturally high amounts of fluoride. Other minerals with health benefits when taken normally, such as calcium, magnesium, and copper, are removed from dialysis water for the same reason.
There also is widespread concern about fluorosis, a discoloration of tooth enamel caused by exposure to high levels of fluoride. A study by the National Research Council concludes that exposure to 4.0 mg/L of fluoride, the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level, can cause discoloration of children's teeth. The EPA has maintained a "secondary level" of 2.0 mg/L to protect against cosmetic dental effects. Fluoride in water from Denver Water's treatment plants is considerably below this secondary level.
The American Dental Association responded to the NRC report on fluorosis risks by pointing out that the report does not raise questions about the use of fluoride at the recommended 0.7 - 1.2 mg/L as a protection against tooth decay. The report, funded by the EPA itself, only examined the effects of naturally occurring (and pollution-derived) fluoride.
The fluoride controversy is not likely to go away soon, since it has been part of our medical folklore for half a century. Health concerns are best discussed with knowledgeable professionals. If you are concerned about fluoridation, discuss your concerns with your dentist and your doctor. If you research the subject on the Internet, be sure to look carefully at the credentials of any site before assuming their data is scientific or accurate. Reputable studies by distinguished medical and scientific laboratories are most likely to present a balanced view of the information.
Denver Water pays close attention to public health issues related to water and complies with EPA and Public Health requirements for safe drinking water. Water from Denver Water's treatment plants consistently falls within the recommended level of fluoride for reducing tooth decay, and significantly below the level that risks fluorosis.
For additional information, contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or contact Denver Water at 303-628-6000.
* A milligram per liter is equivalent to one part per million. In other words, 1 mg/L would be the equivalent of one person out of a million Denver citizens or one minute out of two years.