Review of the Fluoride Drinking Water Regulation

Review of Fluoride Regulation

EPA has announced review results for the Agency’s third Six-Year Review (called Six-Year Review 3) of national primary drinking water regulations (NPDWRs). EPA has reviewed the fluoride NPDWR as part of this Six-Year Review and determined that a revision to the NPDWR for fluoride is not appropriate at this time. EPA acknowledges new information regarding the exposure and health effects of fluoride (see Appendix C of the “Six-Year Review 3 − Health Effects Assessment for Existing Chemical and Radionuclides National Primary Drinking Water Regulations − Summary Report” which can be found in the Six-Year Review 3 Support Documents webpage). However, with EPA’s identification of several other NPDWRs for near-term revision, potential revision of the fluoride NPDWR is a lower priority that would divert significant resources from the higher priority rulemakings that the Agency intends to undertake, as well as other high priority work within the drinking water office. EPA will continue to monitor the evolving science, and, when appropriate, will reconsider the fluoride NPDWR’s relative priority for revision. The results of the completed review can be found on the Six-Year Review 3 webpage.

More information on EPA’s review of fluoride health effects, analytical methods, occurrence and exposure, treatment technologies, implementation and/or other factors can be found in EPA's support documents for the third Six-Year Review.

Other information or activities related to fluoride: