Since the 1940s fluoride has been added to US public
drinking water. Nowadays water is fluorided in 29 of the 30 largest cities in
the country. Fluoride is voluntarily added to some drinking water systems in
order to promote dental health and as a public measure for reducing incidences
of cavities.
In 1974 Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act, which
requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine the levels of
contaminants in drinking water. The Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG) for
fluoride is 4.0mg/L.
Excessive consumption of fluoride over a lifetime may lead
to the increased likelihood of bone fractures in adults and an increased chance
of developing pits in tooth enamel in children 8 and younger. Because fluoride
primarily works topically opponents to fluoriding water say it doesn’t need to
be added. They also believe that it an unethical for of mass-medication, given
without the individual’s consent. Because everyone drinks different amounts of
water there is no way to control the dosage of fluoride being consumed.
Sources: Live Science, EPA
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