Fluoride concentrations in bottled water

Bottled water use and lack of adequate labeling have given rise to questions regarding fluoride intake. This study examined fluoride concentration of commercially available bottled water products, determined if significant differences existed among the products, and explored packaging date as a variable on the concentration of fluoride. The values were compared to the ADA guideline for optimally fluoridated water and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommended schedule for fluoride supplementation. Five commercial brands were chosen for the study. Three bottles of each brand, each with different batch dates, were purchased. Following calibration, six tests were conducted on each bottle using the Hach DR-100 Colorimeter System for fluoride analysis and the values were recorded. Data were analyzed using a two-tailed ANOVA and Tukey's HSD Test (p = 0.05). The results showed that significant differences in fluoride concentrations existed among the five brands. For three brands, significant differences existed between the batches. All products had fluoride concentrations that fell below the ADA accepted standards for optimally fluoridated water. Due to the significant variability in fluoride concentration between products and batches, dental providers should advise their patients that bottled water might not contain optimal levels of fluoride.