Today the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued joint announcements related to fluoride in drinking water.

EPA made two new scientific documents available to the public and announced that it will evaluate the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - the enforceable federal drinking water standard- for fluoride. The two new documents present scientific analysis of new data on negative health impacts of excess fluoride and on the sources of fluoride exposure in the U.S. population. This analysis was completed as a result of EPA's regular review of drinking water standards and in response to a National Academy of Sciences report that EPA requested as part of this process. The evaluation could result in reduction of the current federal standard of 4 milligrams per liter (or mg/L or parts per million) for fluoride in drinking water.

HHS announced that in light of the new scientific analysis, it proposes to change the recommended fluoridation level for preventing tooth decay. The previous "optimum level" was a range from .7 - 1.2 milligrams per liter (or mg/L or parts per million.) HHS proposes to set the recommended level at the low end of this range - .7 ppm. There will be a public comment period on this proposal. EPA did not announce a regulatory proposal but comments on the new scientific documents will be accepted by e-mail.

Clean Water Action will monitor and engage in the EPA's evaluation process, which will be conducted according to the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Clean Water Action will also monitor other developments in this area and will continue to support efforts to prevent contamination of drinking water sources, to set the most health-protective standards and to achieve the best possible drinking water treatment.

The cooperation between EPA and HHS in considering new scientific information on health impacts and sources of exposure is positive and both announcements will lead to policies that better protect public health, and particularly children, from negative impacts of excess fluoride.

For more information contact Lynn Thorp, National Campaigns Coordinator, 202-895-0420 ext 109.