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Maintenance of Optimal Fluoride Levels in Public Water Systems
Author(s) -
Pelletier Andrew R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2004.tb02759.x
Subject(s) - fluoride , water fluoridation , public health , environmental health , water quality , water supply , disease control , environmental science , toxicology , medicine , environmental engineering , chemistry , nursing , inorganic chemistry , ecology , biology
Objective : This study examines the quality of water fluoridation in public water supplies. Methods : An assessment of daily fluoride levels among all communities that fluoridate their public water supplies in New Hampshire was conducted from January 1,2000, through June 30,2002. Results were compared against recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results : The fluoride concentration was less than the recommended minimum value on 42.0 percent of days, within the accepted control range on 49.8 percent of days, and above the recommended maximum value on 1.0 percent of days. On 7.1 percent of days, a fluoride concentration was not determined. Only 2 (18.2%) of 11 public water supplies maintained the fluoride concentration in the optimal range ≥80 percent of the days. Conclusions : For public water supplies in New Hampshire that fluoridate, suboptimal levels are the most common problem. Water systems need to better maintain recommended fluoride levels if communities are to realize the full benefits of fluoridation.