USA - Fluoride rule change a money-saver for cities, water systems
John Hult, jhult@argusleader.com
New, lower fluoride standards will save the state’s water treatment plants about $400,000 a year, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The additive is intended to prevent tooth decay and has been added to most municipal water systems in South Dakota for decades, based on federal recommendations.
The standard for how much fluoride ought to be added to prevent tooth decay changed at the federal level this April, however, after a yearslong comment period.
The adoption of the old standard in 1962 meant water systems were to aim for an optimal dose of 1.2 parts per million. Since then, however, toothpastes in the U.S. have become more useful in battling tooth decay.
“There’s more toothpaste that’s readily available with fluoride in it, so (the higher standard) wasn’t as necessary,” said Mark Mayer, the administrator of the DENR’s drinking water program.
The new standard aims for an optimal dose of 0.7 parts per million, and the two public comments the DENR took on the proposed rule changes were from people who opposed the fluoridation of water altogether, Mayer told the legislature’s rules review committee last week.
New, lower fluoride standards will save the state’s water treatment plants about $400,000 a year, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The additive is intended to prevent tooth decay and has been added to most municipal water systems in South Dakota for decades, based on federal recommendations.
The standard for how much fluoride ought to be added to prevent tooth decay changed at the federal level this April, however, after a yearslong comment period.
The adoption of the old standard in 1962 meant water systems were to aim for an optimal dose of 1.2 parts per million. Since then, however, toothpastes in the U.S. have become more useful in battling tooth decay.
“There’s more toothpaste that’s readily available with fluoride in it, so (the higher standard) wasn’t as necessary,” said Mark Mayer, the administrator of the DENR’s drinking water program.
The new standard aims for an optimal dose of 0.7 parts per million, and the two public comments the DENR took on the proposed rule changes were from people who opposed the fluoridation of water altogether, Mayer told the legislature’s rules review committee last week.
posted by Bill at
9:46 AM
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