Possible changes to fluoride in water

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - Fluoride is put into drinking water to promote dental health, but some recent studies show that too much fluoride can actually damage your teeth.

While some naturally occurring fluoride is already in water, many communities, like Holyoke and Longmeadow, add more fluoride with the goal of strengthening your teeth and preventing cavities.

The town of Longmeadow gets all of its drinking water from the City of Springfield. Springfield doesn't add fluoride to its water, but these two tubs, known as saturators, have to do it for Longmeadow.

Recent Environmental Protection Agency studies have found that some people might be getting too much fluoride, which can lead to dental fluorosis, or a change in the enamel of teeth.

The EPA currently allows between 2 and 4 milligrams per liter of fluoride in water, but is considering reducing that amount. Longmeadow already has a fluoride content lower than E-P-A limits, but could reduce it even more.

"IF those standards get implemented I think it would be very easy for us just to dial down the amount of sodium fluoride that's added to the water,” said Michael Wrabel, the Longmeadow Director of Public Works.

"I don't mind it being added to the water as long as it's not dangerous to the health, if they can prove that it's dangerous to health then don't add it to water,” said Sandra Pilo of Springfield.

Right now the EPA is only considering reducing allowed fluoride content in water, 22News will let you know if they do.