🧪 How Harmful Is Fluoride in Tap Water Really?

In Ireland and many other countries, fluoride is added to tap water to help reduce tooth decay. While this public health practice has been praised by some, others raise concerns about its long-term effects. So — how harmful is fluoride in tap water really?

Let’s break down the facts.

💧 What Is Fluoride and Why Is It in Our Water?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, water, and foods. In controlled amounts, it helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities — that’s why it’s in most toothpaste brands and why it’s added to tap water in many places.

In Ireland, fluoride has been added to public water supplies since the 1960s under the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act.

⚠️ Is Fluoride in Tap Water Safe?

The HSE and World Health Organization support the controlled use of fluoride in drinking water, claiming it’s safe at low levels (typically around 0.6 to 0.8 mg/L in Ireland).

However, some studies and health professionals raise concerns:

• 🧠 Potential Neurological Effects: A few studies link high fluoride exposure to reduced IQ in children — though these studies often involve much higher levels than found in Ireland.
• 🦷 Dental Fluorosis: Overexposure can lead to white spots or staining on teeth, especially in young children.
• 🦴 Skeletal Fluorosis: Extremely rare, but can occur with long-term ingestion of very high fluoride levels.
• ⚖️ Ethical Debate: Some argue that mass fluoridation removes personal choice over what goes into our bodies.

🌿 What If You Want to Reduce Fluoride in Your Drinking Water?

Even if the risks are low, many people prefer to remove fluoride from their tap water — especially families with young children or those managing sensitive health conditions.

At Ecofilter Ireland, we offer affordable reverse osmosis filtration systems that can reduce or eliminate fluoride and other contaminants like:

• Chlorine
• Heavy metals (lead, arsenic)
• Nitrates
• Microplastics

Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective and proven methods for fluoride removal.

✅ Should You Be Worried?

For most people, fluoride in tap water is not dangerous at the levels used in Ireland. But if you’d rather play it safe or simply want pure, clean-tasting water without additives — a home water filtration system is a smart investment.

💧 Want Fluoride-Free Drinking Water at Home?

Browse our range of reverse osmosis systems and see how easy it is to take control of your water quality.

👉 Shop Fluoride Removal Filters
📦 Free delivery across Ireland | 💶 Affordable pricing | 🔧 Easy to install