How to Remove Fluoride From Water: The 4 Methods that Work

The fluoridation of public water sources has been carried out in cities throughout the United States for decades while debates surrounding the benefits and dangers of the practice continue to transpire.

While both sides of the fluoridation discussion have legitimate reasons to support their claims, it is important to be able to separate truth from conjecture.

This article aims to highlight facts about the compound fluoride and the fluoridation process as well as bring to light the greater picture of how fluoridation came into the public scene.

We will also discuss whom and for what reasons one would want to remove fluoride from their drinking water source and the most effective methods to do so. We will also discuss how to test for fluoride in water.

This article will discuss the following:

• How to Remove Fluoride from Water Effectively
• A Chemical Explanation of What Fluoride Is and What it’s Used For
• The Benefits and Dangers of Fluoride
• A History of How Fluoride Was Added to the Water Supply
• How to Test for Fluoride in Water

Processes such as reverse osmosis or distillation and compounds such as activated alumina or bone char are effective means of removing fluoride from drinking water.

Because fluoride ions are microscopic in size, standard carbon filtration will be ineffective in removing fluoride from water. Therefore, fluoride ions must be addressed at the molecular level in order for effective removal to take place.

Reverse Osmosis

One of the most effective and practical methods for removing fluoride from a home water supply is to install a reverse osmosis system.

Reverse Osmosis works by using pressure to force water through a permeable membrane which only allows water molecules to pass through. The end result is a concentration of water that is absent of any molecule other than H20. All other contaminants, minerals, and ions are unable to pass through the membrane.

Because water that has been treated through reverse osmosis lacks any minerals, the water can have a slightly lower pH and can taste flat. Many RO systems include remineralization filters which add minerals back into the water, raising the pH levels and improving the taste.

RO systems can be installed under the kitchen sink, which treats the water just before it exits the faucet, or installed as a whole house system. This article reviews the most practical reverse osmosis systems for home use.

Activated Alumina

Activated alumina, better known as aluminum oxide, is a compound found in sapphires and rubies but without the impurities that give these gemstones their distinct color. With its high surface-area-to-weight ratio, activated alumina has a very high capacity to absorb fluoride and is recommended by the EPA as an effective medium for removing fluoride, arsenic, and thallium.

GOKLuLe / Wiki Commons

In order for activated alumina to be effective, the water must have a pH of 6.5 or lower and for proper absorption to occur.

While many fluoride filters use activated alumina as their primary medium for fluoride removal, it is important to note that activated doesn’t remove 100% of fluoride from water but reduces it to a much safer concentration – around 0.1 ppm.

Bone Char Carbon / Brimac Char

Bone Char, also known as Brimac Char, is one of the oldest methods for fluoride removal in the United States. Made from finely crushed cattle bones that are heated, bone char has a very high absorption capacity for fluoride and many other contaminants, including lead, arsenic, and cadmium.

Honza Groh / Wiki Commons

Like activated alumina, bone char has a very porous ionic surface, making it extremely efficient in absorbing both inorganic and organic materials, especially fluoride. Also, like activated alumina, bone char filtration works best at a slightly acidic pH level and a lower flow rate to ensure better absorption.

Bone char comes in the form of filter cartridges and will remove fluoride up to 90% of fluoride depending on the quality of the bone char and the frequency at which the filters are replaced.

Bone char, along with activated alumina and reverse osmosis, is one of the three methods the EPA considers to be the most effective ways to remove fluoride from water.

Distillation

The oldest, least expensive method for purifying water is through distillation. Like the earth’s hydrologic cycle, distillation works through the natural processes of evaporation and condensation.

As fluoride-concentrated water is heated, steam evaporates from the boiling water and condenses onto a surface. The condensation collects into a new container, leaving the fluoride and other contaminants behind. The end result is pure, distilled H20.

Like reverse osmosis, the process of distillation removes more than just fluoride but particles and ions altogether, leaving the water empty of minerals and slightly acidic. Remineralization is advised in order to raise the pH level and improve the quality of taste.

Home countertop distillation units can be purchased for convenient distilling whenever needed. Because of the relatively slow rate at which water is distilled, distillation units are more practical for individuals or small families. This article reviews the best countertop water distillers for home use.

The 7-stage home reverse osmosis system by Home Master features an upright design with modular filters for easy access and replacement.

While most RO systems require filters alone to be replaced periodically, the Home Master system replaces the entire module. Modules are required to be replaced periodically anyway, so the Home Master system allows you to do so with the filter.

With larger fittings and tubing, along with a non-electric water pump, the Home Master system has a much faster flow and is much more water efficient than most RO systems.

Is it for me?

For those who prefer complete fluoride removal and want a reliable reverse osmosis system to do so, Home Master's advanced RO system will provide fluoride-free drinking water.

The Home Master Jr. Elite is a compact sinktop filter effective in removing fluoride and other contaminants from the drinking water supply. With 10 oz. of activated alumina in the replacement filter cartridge, 93% of fluoride will be absorbed by the filter rather than consumed in the body.

The 5-stage filter also contains a blend of Catalytic carbon and coconut shell carbon for removal of dirt and rust and chemicals such as chloramines, chlorine, VOCs, THMs, and many pharmaceuticals. The KDF85 media is responsible for removing heavy metals such as iron, aluminum, lead, iron, mercury, and copper.

Is it for me?

This sinktop filter is ideal for those who want to eliminate fluoride consumption from the drinking water supply in an economical, effective manner, but aren’t ready to make a large investment into a whole house filtration system. Replacement filters can be purchased through Home Master’s website.

The Megahome Countertop Water Distiller has been on the market for 22 years and remains the most widely distributed countertop distiller in the world.

It distills water at a moderate speed – 1 Gallon per 5.5 hours. With an efficient cooling system and activated carbon filter, this distiller will provide fluoride-free water in a 4L glass carafe. It features an automatic shut-off as a safety featuring for overnight distilling. With a one-year warranty, this distiller offers much in terms of quality and security.

Crystal quest is a leading manufacturer in water filtration, providing products to residences and commercial industries worldwide for over 30 years.

Crystal Quest’s 3-stage Big Blue filter provides fluoride, arsenic, and heavy metal filtration for an entire house. The first filter is an activated alumina and charcoal blend for removing fluoride, lead, and arsenic, using adsorption and chemical reactions rather than ion exchange. It has a uniform particle size, is physically stable and can be used over a wide pH range.

The second filter houses a blend of coconut-shell activated carbon and anion exchange resin which effectively removes heavy metals, chlorine & chloramine, pesticides & herbicides, pharmaceutical by-products & other inorganic substances such as petroleum byproducts. Water flows through Ceramic and Tourmaline balls to enhance the water and maintain a more alkaline pH.

Finally, water flows through a premium, solid carbon filter cartridge for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), insecticides, pesticides, and industrial solvents.

Is it for me?

For those with the space and the budget, Crystal Quest’s Big Blue filter is an excellent system for removing fluoride from the entire home’s water system, removing fluoride exposure for the entire family. Because the Big Blue filter is essentially a fluoride filter integrated into a complete home filtration system, it stands alone as a filtration system for heavy metals, and inorganic compounds as well, providing safe, great tasting water.

The fluoride countertop filter by Crystal Quest is a compact filter designed specifically to remove fluoride. The filter itself is a blend of Bone Char and activated carbon. An activated alumina filter option is also available if requested.

Additional filtration cartridges can also be added for further filtration of heavy metals and particles.

Is it for me?

For those who want a simple filter specifically designed to remove fluoride and aren’t ready to invest in a robust filtration system, the countertop fluoride filter is more than sufficient.

Crystal Quest’s under-sink fluoride system is an efficient 2-stage filter for fluoride, lead, arsenic, and chlorine removal. It installs completely under the sink and away from view and comes with its own attractive faucet.

The 2-stage system provides an effective way of eliminating unwanted chemicals and heavy metals as well as fluoride.

Is it for me?

For those interested in removing fluoride and heavy metal contaminants from the kitchen sink, perhaps for cooking and drinking purposes, the Crystal Quest fluoride system installs easily under the sink and dispenses through its own faucet.

The 48,000 grain, bone-char, fiberglass tank is designed to remove fluoride on a large scale, enough to treat the entire house. The filtration system also removes heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, sediment such as sand and silt, and VOCs and pesticides.

Is it for me?

For those who desire to remove fluoride from the whole house entirely, this fluoride tank may be the answer.

Pelican’s Bone Char fluoride filter is a deluxe, high-capacity tank which removes fluoride from the entire household to the safe levels (around 0.03 ppm). With this system, you can drink, bathe, and cook with the worry of fluoride toxicity.

Pelican continues its "Go Green" mission by using a non-electric, zero-water waste design to offer you the best system for fluoride reduction with the least amount of maintenance. It also comes with a 5 micron pre-filter to remove sediment, rust, and large particles from the water supply.

As opposed to absorption, Pelican uses an adsorption process. Chemicals in the water are adsorbed into the carbon media in the tank, but clean water is passed through into the home. The media within the tank will need to be replaced every 300,000-450,000-gal. or about 3-years.

Is it for me?

For those who want to completely remove the threat of fluoride from the entire home’s water supply, and would like a reliable, maintenance-free system to do so, this filter may be right for you.

Fluoride is a compound of Fluorine (F), the 13^th most abundant element in the earth’s crust, which derives its name from the Latin word “fluere”, which means “to flow”.

A negatively charged Fluorine atom is known as Fluoride and can exist as several different compounds, including Calcium Fluoride and Sodium Fluoride.

Fluoride exists naturally in surface water at varying levels depending on the region but usually doesn’t exceed concentrations of 0.3 ppm. Concentrations are much higher in groundwater and certainly in ocean water which can reach levels of up to 1.0 ppm.

As water moves through rocks and sediment, fluoride is collected and dispersed throughout various water sources on the earth. Regions, including Pakistan, China, and Sri Lanka, can typically have higher concentrations of naturally occurring fluoride in the groundwater than in the United States. However, historically, certain instances, such as in Colorado in the early 1900s, proved to have extremely high concentrations of fluoride in the groundwater supply ranging from 2 to 13.7 ppm.

What is Fluoride Used For?

Fluoride is used in over-the-counter supplements, medical imaging, cleaning agents, and to make aluminum and Teflon products. But Fluoride is perhaps most widely known for its association with dentistry.

Bru-No / Pixabay

Fluoride, in the right dosage, can remineralize weakened tooth enamel, reverse early stages of tooth decay, and prevent the growth of bacteria which leads to cavities. It is used in toothpaste and mouthwash and can be applied topically as foam or varnish.

The discovery of the benefits of Fluoride is considered a landmark achievement within the dental industry and is widely used for cavity prevention today.

While fluoride is certainly a major factor in modern cavity prevention, it is not without its health concerns, especially in higher doses. The following are some of the health problems that can occur due to excessive fluoride intake.

Dental and Skeletal Fluorosis

Too much exposure to fluoride can result in fluorosis, an accumulation of excessive amounts of fluoride in the bones and teeth.

Dental fluorosis is an accumulation of fluoride within the teeth and will result in chalky white stains on the surface. While dental fluorosis is aesthetically unappealing, it isn’t necessarily harmful to the teeth themselves but may be an indication of excessive fluoride intake within the body.

Matthew Ferguson / Wiki Commons

Skeletal fluorosis occurs at much higher levels of exposure to fluoride and is a much more serious concern. Bones can become hardened, less elastic, and more prone to fractures. If fluoride continues to accumulate in the bones, bone tissue will continue to grow, resulting in pain and impaired joint mobility.

Thyroid Problems

Excessive fluoride exposure can also result in hyperparathyroidism, a disease of the parathyroid gland resulting in uncontrolled secretion of the parathyroid hormones.

Eventually, this can result in higher concentrations of calcium in the bloodstream and depletion of calcium in the bones.

Neurological Problems

Lower IQ - According to a report published by the Environmental Health Perspectives in 2017, a study was conducted on children between the ages of 6 to 12 in relation to the amount of fluoride they were exposed to. The study concluded that higher levels of fluoride exposure were linked to lower IQ scores.

Developmental Delay - Another study published in Lancet Neurol in 2014 concluded that increased exposure to fluoride can result in stunted cognitive development in children.

ADHD – A study published in the Environmental Health Journal reports that exposure to fluoridated water is linked to increased cases of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the United States among children and adolescents.

Toxicity From Industrial Waste

Sodium Fluoride and Fluorosilicic Acid, two synthetic byproducts of industrial waste both used in the fluoridation of public water, are toxic to the human body and can cause numerous health problems.

Aluminas / Pexels

These synthetic fluoride compounds are categorized as toxins according to several agencies, such as the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the United Nations.

A report published by the Journal of Environmental and Public Health in 2014 reported that synthetic fluoride in the blood during lifelong consumption can harm the heart, bones, and the brain.

In order to better understand the current state of affairs of public fluoridation, it helps to take a step back and view the issue from a historical perspective. Perhaps by gaining insight into the origins of the discovery of fluoride, the motives of those involved on both sides of the equation today might make more sense.

An Accidental Discovery

Photo of Frederick McKay / Public Domain

In 1901, a dentist named Frederick McKay made a strange discovery in Colorado Springs, CO, where he witnessed a high number of adults and children with peculiar brown stains on their teeth. Most of the residents of Colorado Springs were relatively healthy, and McKay could find no evident reason for ailments of the mouth.

For several years after, McKay continued to speculate as to the origin of the “mottled teeth” of these otherwise healthy residents and, in 1915, collaborated with the dean of the School of Dentistry at Northwestern University to investigate further.

In 1927, McKay’s research led him to strongly believe that the brown stains were linked to minerals in the drinking water, but his laboratory tests couldn’t produce any conclusive evidence.

Gaining traction for his relentless pursuit of the mystery of stained teeth, the Public Health Service requested that McKay investigate the stained teeth of the townsfolk of Bauxite, Arkansas, in 1931. It wasn’t until the chief chemist of the Aluminum Mining Company of America (ALCOA), H.V. Churchill, in collaboration with McKay, used much more sophisticated instruments to determine that the source of the stained teeth is an extremely high concentration of fluoride (13.2 ppm) in the drinking water. This excessive exposure to fluoride, known as dental fluorosis, causes a mottling of the teeth, an apparent aesthetic defect. But, perhaps the most interesting part of this discovery is the fact that those who were exposed to fluoride also had remarkably fewer cavities than most.

A Revolution in Dentistry

Sensei Alan / Flickr

Because tooth decay was, at the time, a widespread problem throughout the United States which led to and complicated a host of other diseases and which there seemed to be no effective remedy for, the discovery of fluoride in mitigating tooth decay was largely considered one of dentistry’s greatest achievements.

Thus, through years of further laboratory testing and extensive legislative exchange, it was determined that the therapeutic level of concentration of fluoride in drinking water, so as to provide the benefits of cavity protection yet avoid the dangers of fluorosis, should be 1.0 ppm.

The Birth of Public Fluoridation

While opposition to fluoridation among skeptics quickly arose, the push for local governments to immediately begin fluoridating the public water supply also quickly gained traction.

John Frisch, a prominent member of the Wisconsin Dental Society and chief supporter of public fluoridation, through several years of diligent campaigning, succeeded in convincing the city of Madison, Wisconsin, to begin fluoridating the public water supply.

With the endorsement of the Public Health Service and the American Dental Association, and the eagerness of other local governments to follow suit in fluoridating their own water supply, it seemed as though fluoridation would shortly become mainstream. And with a new fluoridation industry looming on the horizon, the demand for industrial fluoride became apparent.

Brian Stansberry / Wiki Commons

To solve the problem of the expense and difficulty in producing large quantities of fluoride at the level that local governments required, Frisch inquired with ALCOA, the same company that in 1931 discovered the link between fluoride and the mottled teeth mystery. ALCOA, a leader in the aluminum industry, apparently produces vast amounts of fluoride as a byproduct of their aluminum production – amounts capable enough of supplying large cities with it.

While the fluoridation of public water supply is widely considered a safe and even beneficial practice by medical professionals and government agencies, debates as to the legitimacy of these health claims and the denial of danger continue to occur to this day.

Rather than posturing onto either side of the fluoridation debate, this article aims to present the facts as objectively as possible.

CDC / Creative Commons

What We Do Know About Fluoride

The following points are largely accepted by both proponents of the fluoridation discussion and are readily verifiable.

Fluoride Prevents Cavities

Fluoride, in adequate concentrations, remineralizes tooth enamel, reverses tooth decay, and prevents cavity-causing bacteria from growing. It is widely used in the dental industry for oral care.

Fluoride Exists Naturally in Water

As the compound Calcium Fluoride (CaF2), fluoride exists naturally in surface water, groundwater, and oceans throughout the earth in varying concentrations.

Fluoride is Released into Drinking Water

Cities throughout the United States have sodium fluoride added to their water supply in concentrations less than 0.7 ppm. Sodium fluoride (NaF) is a synthetic fluoride compound that is a byproduct of aluminum production.

High Doses of Fluoride Are Toxic to Humans

At high concentrations, fluoride, whether it be calcium fluoride or sodium fluoride, can cause a host of health problems, including thyroid, bone, and brain damage.

William Murphy / Flickr

Points of Contention

The following points highlight where debates about fluoridation often take place. Most of these points each have evidence that supports both sides of the discussion but isn't universally agreed upon.

Topical Benefits vs Systemic Benefits

Scientists of varying backgrounds disagree as to the route at which fluoride contacts the body that is most beneficial. Supporters of fluoridation claim that the benefits of fluoride can be experienced through topical application as well as through internally ingesting fluoride through one’s digestive system. Opposers of fluoridation claim that the cavity-preventing qualities of fluoride are only applicable topically and that ingestion of fluoride has no dental benefit at all.

What Happens to Fluoride When Dissolved in Water

It’s largely uncontested that calcium fluoride, which exists naturally in water, is less toxic than the synthetic compound sodium fluoride. It’s also largely uncontested that sodium fluoride and the very highly toxic compound fluorosilicic acid, which are byproducts of industrial waste, are the main chemicals used in the fluoridation of public water supplies. The point of contention comes when discussing what happens to these chemicals when they interact with water. These fluoride compounds are soluble in water and generally break down depending on the alkalinity and TDS of the water.

Leiem / Wiki Commons

Supporters of fluoridation argue that the solubility of these toxic chemicals renders them harmless once they dissolve in water, and when it’s absorbed into the body, the body doesn’t recognize the former state these chemicals were in, toxic or not. The body simply recognizes the fluoride molecule and utilizes it as such.

Opposers of fluoridation are skeptical of the claim that these highly toxic chemicals are rendered harmless in water and that the solubility is dependent on a number of factors, such as water alkalinity, total dissolved solids, and the amount and concentration of chemicals introduced. Opposers are hesitant to believe such claims and would rather avoid fluoridation altogether.

Suspicion of ALCOA

Opposers of fluoridation point to the involvement of ALCOA in the fluoridation discovery, claiming that their actions are highly suspicious in the grand scheme. While most don’t deny the cavity-prevention benefits of fluoride, some find it strange that the company that discovered the link between fluoride and dental care is the same company that happened to have large quantities of synthetic fluoride ready to be disposed of.

EPA Changing Recommended Fluoride Levels

In 2015, the US government set the new recommended amount of fluoride in public water systems to be no higher than 0.7 ppm, a 0.3 drop from the previous standard of 1 ppm. The official claim was that cases of fluorosis among children across the country remained relatively high, and the lowering of fluoride levels would mitigate these cases. Opposers of fluoridation claim that the government issuance of a lower threshold is evidence that the dangers of fluoridation are becoming more evident.

Fluoride Meter

For those who require an immediate, accurate reading, a test device such a photometer or colorimeter may work best. Photometers use electronic sensors to test the fluoride ions in the water and show the results on a digital screen. Colorimeters use chemical solutions to react with the fluoride in the water, changing the color of the solution which is then matched with a color chart.

Fluoride testing meters are more expensive than test strips but far more accurate.

Fluoride is compound of the element Fluorine and is used in dentistry for restoring tooth enamel and reversing cavities. The discovery of fluoride is, in fact, considered one of the most significant achievements in dental history.

While fluoride does have its benefits for tooth care, excessive fluoride exposure can cause health problems such as fluorosis and thyroid problems. Furthermore, synthetic fluoride from industrial waste, and the main type of fluoride used in public fluoridation, is toxic to humans.

Due to the controversial history of public water fluoridation, debates as to the safety of fluoridation continue to occur, and both sides of the debate have compelling evidence to support their claims.

For those who have reason to want to remove fluoride from their water supply, there are several ways to do so. Reverse osmosis, distillation, activated alumina, and bone char are some of the most effective ways of removing fluoride from the drinking water supply.