| 1647 Fluoride Concentration Variation Among Bottled Water Brands by Bottling Facilities | ||
|
. E.J. STORHEIM, and J.A. LALUMANDIER, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA Objective: Individual bottled water companies throughout the United States and Canada often utilize multiple water sources and bottling facilities which can lead to fluoride variation among the same brands of water. This project studies the variation in fluoride concentration of popular brands of bottled water according to their regional bottling facilities. Method: Using information from the Canadian Bottled Water Association, The Bottled Water Web, and labels on bottled water, a telephone survey was conducted. The survey inquired as to the number of water sources, the type of source, the fluoride concentration of each source, the addition of fluoride to any source, and the region supplied by each brand of bottled water. Results: While 137 bottled water companies were contacted, only 42 could or would respond to the phone interview. Of the 42 respondents, 18 indicated multiple sources and 24 reported a single source. Those bottlers using a single source reported 9 brands having non-detectable fluoride levels, 1 brand having fluoride added at a concentration of 1 mg/L, and the remaining varying in fluoride concentration from <0.1 to 1.4 mg/L. Among brands with multiple sources, 10 were reported to contain non-detectable fluoride levels, 2 had fluoride added at a concentration of 1 mg/L, and 6 had fluoride concentrations that varied by bottling facility. Conclusion: As families with children increasingly make bottled water their primary water source, it is imperative that they be made aware of the fluoride concentration in the bottled water they drink. While the variation in fluoride concentration within the same brand was minimal, the study did show that fluoride levels among bottled water companies are typically difficult to obtain, usually well below optimal levels, and only required to be posted on the label if fluoride has been added. The study was funded by Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH. | ||
| Seq #154 - Fluorides and Fluorosis 9:00 AM-11:00 AM, Friday, 8 March 2002 San Diego Convention Center Room 1A (Upper Level) | ||
|
Back to the Behavioral Sciences Program
| ||