Over-fluoridation in District of Columbia (DC) metro area residents: Its prevalence, its risks, and the steps needed to prevent it

This thesis looked at the over-fluoridation in DC metro area residents, particularly its prevalence, its risks, and the steps needed to prevent it. Chapter 1 provides a definition of fluoride, a brief description of history of water-fluoridation, sources of fluoridation, and the risks and benefits of water fluoridation as shown in previous literature. In Chapter 2, a research study, which was done to see the prevalence of over-fluoridation, is described. The hypothesis was that DC metro area residents are overfluoridated. Results showed that the average fluoride water concentration (0.63 ppm or 0.63 mg/L) is less than the standard limit of 0.7 to 1.2 ppm and that the average urine fluoride concentration (1.53 ppm) is within the standard limit of 0.2 to 1.9 ppm. Correlations were seen between urine fluoride concentrations and age and a women's menstrual cycle. Chapter 3 focuses on other countries' takes on water fluoridation and preventative steps that can be taken to lower chances of being over-fluoridated.