Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's
Standards (2006)Board on Environmental Science and Toxicology
Each report is produced by a committee of experts selected by
the Academy to address a particular statement of task and is
subject to a rigorous, independent peer review; while the
reports represent views of the committee, they also are endorsed
by the Academy. Learn more on our expert consensus reports. Most
people associate fluoride with the practice of intentionally
adding fluoride to public drinking-water supplies for the
prevention of tooth decay. However, fluoride can also enter
public water systems from natural sources, including runoff from
weathering of fluoride-containing rocks and soils and leaching
from soil into groundwater. Fluoride pollution from various
industrial emissions can also contaminate water supplies. In a
few areas of the United States, fluoride concentrations in water
are much higher than normal, mostly from natural sources.
Because it can occur at toxic levels, flu