Question:
They say the EPA should lower the standard, but they don't say to what," said former EPA scientist and anti-fluoride advocate Bob Carton. Since the committee concluded that fluoride can cause health problems, he said, the bigger question is, "Why are we still pushing to put fluoride in water?"

Answer: Fluoride has been added to many community water supplies since 1945, with the goal being the prevention of cavities. According to the American Dental Association's Web site, the fluoridation of water reduces the amount of dental cavities by 20 percent to 40 percent.

The amount of fluoridation considered optimal to achieve this reduction in cavities is 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter of water (mg/l). Most communities don't add artificial fluoride above these levels, although some small communities in Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia do, according to the report. However, fluoride also occurs naturally, and in some parts of the country is present in much higher amounts than is considered safe.

The current maximum allowed by the EPA is 4 mg/l. According to the report, more than 200,000 people in the United States live in areas where natural fluoridation in water exceeds the EPA maximum.

While drinking water is the largest source of fluoride exposure, fluoride can also come from foods, toothpaste, certain mouthwashes and dental procedures.