MoreThe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the EPA
announced new standards for fluoride in drinking water. HHS is proposing that
the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water can be set at the lowest
end of the current optimal range to prevent tooth decay, and the EPA is
initiating review of the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water.
HHS's proposed recommendation of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water replaces the current recommended range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams. This updated recommendation is based on recent EPA and HHS scientific assessments to balance the benefits of preventing tooth decay while limiting any unwanted health effects.
The agencies hope that tighter fluoride controls will maximize the health benefits of water fluoridation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named the fluoridation of drinking water one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
The new EPA assessments of fluoride were undertaken in response to findings of the National Academies of Science (NAS). At the EPA's request, NAS reviewed new data on fluoride in 2006 and issued a report recommending that the EPA update its health and exposure assessments to take into account bone and dental effects and to consider all sources of fluoride.
"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."
More information about the national drinking water regulations for fluoride: http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/fluoride.cfm
SOURCE: EPA press release
HHS's proposed recommendation of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water replaces the current recommended range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams. This updated recommendation is based on recent EPA and HHS scientific assessments to balance the benefits of preventing tooth decay while limiting any unwanted health effects.
The agencies hope that tighter fluoride controls will maximize the health benefits of water fluoridation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named the fluoridation of drinking water one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
The new EPA assessments of fluoride were undertaken in response to findings of the National Academies of Science (NAS). At the EPA's request, NAS reviewed new data on fluoride in 2006 and issued a report recommending that the EPA update its health and exposure assessments to take into account bone and dental effects and to consider all sources of fluoride.
"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."
More information about the national drinking water regulations for fluoride: http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/fluoride.cfm
SOURCE: EPA press release
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