What is Fluoride in Drinking Water
Fluoride is a mineral that’s found in nature. You can find it in teeth, bones, water, rocks and soil. In dentistry fluoride is used to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Many water treatment plants add fluoride to drinking water as a public health measure to prevent tooth and disease control and decay, improve oral health and reduce tooth decay. However, if you’re looking for ways on how to filter out fluoride in water, there are several methods available to reduce fluoride levels in your drinking water.
Fluoridated Water History
Michigan’s Great Rapids was one of the many states that added some levels of fluoride to its tap water by adding phosphorus and potassium. The city raised its fluoride level to 1 part per million (ppm) which is a little more than 1/1 millimeter of a unit of water. In the same year Brantford in Ontario started doing it. As tooth decay decreased and oral health improved some municipalities started to do it. Soon fluoridated bottled water was available everywhere in the US. By 2009 65% were using fluoridated drinking water which is 72% of the US population.
Fluoride in Drinking Water: Levels and Controversies
Fluoride was introduced to drinking water in the late 20th century with two goals: By 1945 Grand Rapids was the first state to add fluoride to their water and reduced cavities by 60%. Fluoride in controlled amounts is now considered the standard in most communities and in most communities. Over 200 million Americans drink fluoridated water.
Is Fluoridated Drinking Water Safe?
Do I really need fluoridation and how much fluoride is in water? Many research have found fluoridated water has no health risks. But some scientists found that high intake of fluorite can cause dental fluorosis and tooth decay. We have a comprehensive guide on how to understand fluoride’s effects on the environment and ways to eliminate it safely.
Fluoride in Drinking Water Concerns
Excessive fluoride intake can cause health risks such as dental fluorosis which causes white spots or streaks on teeth and skeletal fluorosis which can cause brittle bones over time. Many are concerned about the health effects of too much fluoride especially if they drink a lot of water from fluoridated sources.
Fluoride levels in drinking water can vary greatly depending on local water treatment practices and natural and fluoride content and content of the water supply. Be aware of these levels and consider using filters if you’re concerned about your fluoride intake.
Fluoride Levels in Drinking Water
Health authorities recommend 0.7 mg/L fluoride in drinking water for optimal oral health benefits. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets a maximum allowable level of 4.0 mg/L for fluoride in public water systems. But the actual fluoride level in your tap water may vary depending on your location and water source.
How to Filter Out Fluoride
If you want to know how to remove fluoride in water, here are several methods. Reverse osmosis (RO) filtration is one of the most effective, using a semi-permeable membrane to remove fluoride and other impurities filtered water.
Activated carbon filters are another option but they work best when combined with other filtration methods as they primarily capture organic contaminants and some fluoride ions. Distillation involves boiling water and condensing the steam back into liquid leaving most impurities including fluoride behind.
Ion exchange uses resin beads to attract and bind fluoride ions, while deionization removes all ions including fluoride from the water. Each method has its own effectiveness, cost and maintenance so choose the one that suits you best.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration
Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most popular and effective way to remove fluoride from water. It uses a semi-permeable membrane to filter out impurities including fluoride. Most RO systems can remove 85-92% of fluoride from water.
Other Methods to Filter Out Fluoride
What water filters filter out fluoride? There are several other ways and some filters to remove fluoride in water. Activated alumina filters are highly effective, using alumina to adsorb fluoride ions from water. Bone char carbon filters is another traditional fluoride removal method, using charred animal bones to remove fluoride and other impurities.
Distillation involves boiling water and then condensing the steam back into liquid leaving fluoride and other impurities behind. Activated carbon filters can reduce fluoride levels to some extent but not as effective as other methods.
Ion exchange uses resin beads to swap fluoride ions with harmless ions, while deionization removes all ions from water including fluoride to get the purest water possible.
How to Filter Out Fluoride in Water
When choosing how to remove fluoride in water consider a few things. Effectiveness is key; choose filters certified by reputable organizations to ensure they effectively remove fluoride. Cost is another factor, initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance cost, replacement filters or cartridges. Maintenance requirements vary; some filters need frequent replacement or cleaning which can add to the cost and effort.
And don’t forget about other contaminant removal. Some filters also remove other impurities like lead, chlorine and heavy metals so you get more comprehensive water purification and best filter made for your home or office.
Top Fluoride Filtration Methods for Residential and Office Use
If you want to know how to remove fluoride in water, here are several options to consider. Reverse osmosis systems is one of the best, removing up to 95% of fluoride through multi-stage filtration. Activated alumina filters are also highly effective and ideal for whole-house filtration, adsorbing fluoride as water passes through. For smaller needs, water distillers is a compact solution by boiling water and removing fluoride along with other impurities. And for daily use, specialized water filter pitchers with fluoride-reducing cartridges is a budget-friendly option. Each method suits different needs so you get safe, fluoride-free water.
Activated Carbon Filters
Activated carbon filters is a good way to reduce fluoride level on your water. In water systems activated carbon is a substance that adsorbs and removes fluoride, when pumped into water. This activated carbon has numerous pores that adsorbs fluoride ions and other impurities. . Water fluoridation passing by the filters is adsorbed in the carbon reducing fluoride concentration.
Choosing the Right Filter
When choosing how to remove fluoride and other contaminants in water consider your specific needs and preferences. Start by looking for filters that are certified to remove fluoride and other impurities like chlorine and lead. Certifications from NSF International or Water Quality Association will assure you of a filter’s effectiveness.
Consider the cost and maintenance too. Some water filters like reverse osmosis water filter systems are more expensive upfront but will save you in the long run and require regular filter changes. Others like water filter pitchers are more affordable but need frequent cartridge replacements. And lastly, check the filter’s effectiveness for your water supply so you get the best protection for your home or office.
Layered Filtration
For best results you might want to use multiple filtration methods. This layered approach can address more contaminants and improve overall water quality. For example you can combine reverse osmosis with activated carbon filtration to both remove contaminants and fluoride and improve taste.
Staying Hydrated with Fluoride Free Water
While fluoride in drinking water at recommended levels is generally safe and good for dental health, some people prefer to avoid it. If you choose to filter drinking water systems out fluoride, remember to stay hydrated is important for your tooth development and overall health. Drink plenty of water throughout the day whether filtered or not.
Conclusion
Removing fluoride from your drinking water is possible through several methods, reverse osmosis is one of the best. When choosing a filtration method consider effectiveness, cost and maintenance. Layered filtration approach can give you comprehensive water treatment. Remember the goal clean drinking water, is to have clean, safe drinking water that you can drink comfortably.