North Carolina

WATER FLUORIDATION STATUS:

• PERCENT OF PEOPLE SERVED BY PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS THAT ARE FLUORIDATED:
  2018:  87.6% – ranked #18 among the states (100% fluoridated is ranked #1)
  2016:  87.7%
  2014:  87.5%
  2012:  87.5%
  2006:  87.6%
  2000:  83.3%
  1992:  78.5%
• To see if your town is fluoridated, click here.
• To learn when your town was fluoridated, and which fluoridation chemical it uses, click here.

Of Interest:

• To see the latest news on fluoride developments in North Carolina, click here.
• To see an updated list of North Carolina’s professionals calling for an end to fluoridation, click here.
• High fluoride emissions were documented in a 1988 test of emissions from American Rockwool, Inc. in Spring Hope. American Rockwool makes insulation materials: Rock Wool, Slag, and Silica Mineral. The report notes:”The main purpose of the test was to determine fluoride emissions when producing rockwool with spent pot linings (SPL) salvaged from ALCOA’s aluminum production operations. It was desired to show to what extent fluoride emissions increase when SPL is substituted for coke. It was also desired to show to what extent the addition of lime decreases fluoride emissions. The filter used for fluoride testing was weighed for particulate determination. Sulfur dioxide was also measured… According to Ken Schuster, the real fluoride concern is that actual fluoride emissions not exceed six (6) pounds per hour and that the annual fluoride increase due to using SPL not exceed three tons.”

North Carolina’s FLUORIDATION LAW:

• The State of North Carolina does not mandate fluoridation.  Local governments control fluoridation policy in NC.  City councils can begin or discontinue fluoridation at their discretion, or by a referendum vote.  NC also allows individual schools that have their own water supply to fluoridate school water.  Administrative code Title 10A, r. 40A.0306 requires that the state Department of Health, as well as the students’ parents be notified prior to implementation of in-school fluoridation programs.  To learn more about these fluoridation laws, click here.

DATA ON ORAL HEALTH:

• 2013. North Carolina Oral Health Section. Kindergarten and Fifth Grade Oral Health Status. County Level Summary 2012-2013. North Carolina Division of Public Health, Dental Health Section. No mention of dental fluorosis.
• 2014. Revised Statewide Oral Health Strategic Plan: Collaboration for Integrated and Comprehensive Oral Health. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. February 1. No mention of dental fluorosis.
  — “White Spot Lesions’ is mentioned on page 22.

FAN’S STATE COORDINATOR IN North Carolina:

If you live in NC and want to get the fluoride out of your water contact Evan Folds: evanfolds@gmail.com , FAN’s North Carolina state coordinator.

North Carolina COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE REJECTED FLUORIDATION:

NORTH CAROLINA WATER SYSTEMS WITH HIGH FLUORIDE LEVELS:

FLUORIDE POLLUTION SOURCES IN NORTH CAROLINA:

In 2008, North Carolina ranked #7 out of 48 states for Hydrogen Fluoride releases (2,798,344 pounds). North Carolina also released 2,659 pounds of Fluorine into the environment. The following data comes from EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). “Total releases” includes both water and air pollution. It’s important to note, however, that not all industries or sources that release fluoride into the environment are included in the TRI.