The Truth About Fluoride Additives
Opponents of fluoridation make a long list of claims about fluoridated water, but they don’t reflect the scientific evidence that has been gathered over the years. For example, anti-fluoride groups try to create fear among the public by asserting that the fluoride additives used in fluoridation are dangerous because they contain arsenic. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
“Consumers sometimes raise concerns about arsenic in drinking water and the fact that fluoride additives may contain some arsenic. The EPA allowable criterion for arsenic consumption in drinking water is 10 parts per billion. NSF quality testing has found that most fluoride additive samples do not have detectable levels of arsenic.”
It’s also important to keep in mind that arsenic occurs naturally in water and soil. The key is to monitor the levels in drinking water to ensure it is below the recommended maximum level. The EPA’s standard for arsenic in drinking water is set at a maximum of 10 parts per billion (ppb).
As we just noted, most fluoride additives do not have detectable levels of arsenic. So what about the other samples that have detectable levels? Of the samples where arsenic was detected, the average level was 0.12 parts per billion. In other words, the typical arsenic level in fluoride additives is 84% below the EPA’s limit.
