American Water Works Association Responds to Fluoride Report

April 3, 2006

A recent report from the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences - Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards - found that fluoride levels of 4 mg/L or higher may pose certain health risks. Community-fluoridated water, however, typically contains between 0.7 mg/L and 1.2 mg/L of fluoride.

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In response, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) issued its support of the findings. "The drinking water community takes nothing more seriously than its responsibility to safeguard public health," said Jack Hoffbuhr, AWWA executive director. "To that end, we pay close attention to the best available science. The NRC report is an important addition to the growing body of research on health effects and benefits associated with fluoride."

Hoffbuhr said the NRC report examines the increased health risks associated with high levels of fluoride in drinking water, typically from natural sources. "The optimal level of fluoride that results from community water fluoridation is far below the level of concern identified in the NRC report," he said. "AWWA, along with the American Dental Association and the U.S. Public Health Service, continues to support fluoridation of water supplies in a safe, effective and reliable manner that includes adequate monitoring and control of fluoride levels."

Source: American Water Works Association (AWWA).