Good afternoon, Joe, and thank you for your question about the fluoride test we carry. The National Testing Laboratories test package for fluoride comes with sample collection and mailing supplies for a single water sample. Therefore, you would need one test kit for each sample that you wish to test.

Right now we know of only two test kits that the general public can make use of to test the fluoride content of their water: 1) National Testing Labs Fluoride Test Kit (mail-in); 2) eXact Micro 7+ Water Testing Meter (w/ fluoride reagent).

Why test for fluoride?

While many people in positions of authority believe fluoride a great additive for the public water supply, many others see it as a dangerous poison capable of doing massive damage to the population if no one monitors its levels.

Also, some people have severe, and sometimes fatal, allergic reactions to fluoride.

Moral of the story?

No matter what side of the fluoride Great Fluoride Debate you may find yourself, the fact remains that small amounts of fluoride can have beneficial effects on teeth and too much fluoride can harm a person over time.

Therefore, like any other water supply additives that serve a purpose (i.e. chlorine used to disinfect drinking water), we believe its concentration need to stay on the radar of water treatment operators at all times.

1. Bill wants to test the fluoride level in his water before it goes into his water filter. As awe have said time and time again, without a baseline scan of your water’s quality you will undoubtedly run the risk of selecting the incorrect tools for cleaning up your water.

2. Then, Bill wants to test the fluoride levels in the water after it leaves his water filter to make sure the filter did its job. Continual monitoring of one’s filtered water quality gives real-time performance data on one’s chosen water improvement device(s).

Enough of our words, though, and let’s here from Bill himself: “I am looking for a fluoride test–I am installing a filter to remove fluoride–and want to know what levelis presecn Please advise–the page on your website says to use the eXact Micro 7+ Water Testing Meter but the product description says nothing about it being used for fluoride”

None of us here at Water Testing Blog have control over the content posted on the sites of merchants who sell the eXact Micro 7+ water testing meter… but we can assure you that the meter does have the ability to test for fluoride in drinking water.

As a direct result of your inquiry, Bill, we checked on the meter manufacturer’s web site for the current version of the eXact Micro 7+ water testing meter manual and on page 19 of the document you will find instructions on how to use their meter to test fluoride levels in drinking water.

As of 8/17/11, the date contained in the manual’s file name, the eXact Micro 7+ detects levels of fluoride in water as low as 0.1 ppm and as high as 1.1 ppm. As with any test procedure, use of proper dilution techniques would allow for the quantification of higher fluoride levels if needed.

Keep in mind, though, that the basic eXact Micro 7+ kit does not come with the necessary fluoride reagent strips. You will find those, along with many other optional reagentstrips for testing a bunch of other water quality parameters listed on the eXact Micro 7+ ReagentStrip page.

Test for 97 Potential
Drinking Water Contaminants

For the longest time we have mentioned a company called National Testing Laboratories and a number of their testing products, but thus far we have not really talked about the company and why we keep mentioning them.

At some point between 2005 or 2007 one of the founders — and main writers for this site — had the pleasure of meeting a person of importance at National Testing Laboratories staff while working at a (National Ground Water Association [NGWA]) trade show.

Over the following months (and years) the information learned about National Testing Laboratories from his contact at the company and from independent sources made him a solid believer in the company’s firm commitment to providing accurate, affordable and reliable water testing services to both the general public and the private sector.

And in National Testing Laboratories’ own words. . .

The National Testing Laboratories, Ltd. network of certified laboratories performs drinking water analysis for customers worldwide according to US EPA and standard methods. We test for compliance and informational purposes and hold certifications across the U.S. Our laboratories successfully participate in US EPA Proficiency Testing Programs. We offer test packages to meet federal, state, FDA and International Bottled Water Association requirements. We maintain memberships in the Water Quality Association, Eastern Water Quality Association, International Bottled Water Association, Canadian Bottled Water Association, Northeast Bottled Water Association, National Ground Water Association, and many other national or regional associations. Members of our technical staff are contributing members of various IBWA and WQA committees. ( source )

And, just because it will save us a lot of typing, take a look at what else National Testing Laboratories has to say about itself. Yeah, we took the easy way out on this company profile, but WHY reinvent the wheel, right?

National Testing Laboratories (NTL) is one of the largest independent laboratories in the U.S. specializing in the analysis of drinking water for chemical and microbiological contamination. The corporate office in Cleveland, Ohio is integral to the operation of our laboratory facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan. For more than 25 years, we have offered a wide range of services for residential and commercial customers. Commercial customers include public water systems (city water), environmental consultants, engineers, water treatment professionals, bottled water plants, well drillers, food producers, pharmaceutical companies, laboratories and home inspectors. In 1998, Environmental Hazards Services, LLC. (EHS) of Richmond, Virginia was added to the network. EHS offers analysis for lead and asbestos in air and solids. Their strength is in high-quality analysis with very short turnaround time. The addition of EHS further enhances the broad capabilities of the network to better serve valued customers.

The network laboratories perform analysis according to USEPA and standard methods to meet state compliance in addition to performing informational tests for quality control purposes. Certifications are held across the country to meet customers’ needs. Network laboratories successfully participate in the USEPA, NIST and AIHA Proficiency Testing Programs and rank in the top percentile when compared to all other participants. ( source )

So there you have it; straight from the horse’s mouth. Wait. Did we just call ourselves a HORSE? Never mind. Moving on.

Don’t they just want to sell me a water treatment system?

Many times in the past we have advised folks interested in having their water tested to steer clear of water testing offers by companies who ALSO just happen to sell water treatment systems… because those companies ONLY want to find a problem (real or semi-real) and sell a product to fix the ‘problem’ their testing revealed.

Since National Testing Laboratories does not sell any water treatment equipment, you won’t have to worry about some pushy salesperson giving you the old ‘razzle-dazzle’ water chemistry show in your home and then pressuring you into buying a (potentially worthless) water treatment system at an inflated price.

National Testing Laboratories’ test kits work using mail-in submission methods… so no commission-hungry sales droid will ever go near your home. A definite plus in our book!

Why test for fluoride?

While considered ‘safe’ by the USEPA for use as a drinking water additive that helps prevent tooth decay, countries in Europe and other places around the world have outlawed its use because of studies that have shown a correlation between fluoridated water and serious health problems.

EPA considering removing ‘safe’ level amounts for pesticides containing fluoride

While Water Testing Blog has not, yet, determined exactly what to think about fluoride — except thatthe topic definitely deserves some serious consideration — many others out there have made up their minds on the matter and published lists such as, if not very similar to, 50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoridation.

I have well water so I’m safe from fluoride, right?

Wrong. Fluoride can occur naturally in ground water and some cases naturally occurring levels of fluoride actually exceed levels deemed ‘safe’ in municipal (city/public) water systems.

Other testing methods for fluoride?

Aside from having fluoride levels tested along with a bunch of other important drinking water parameters using a mail-in kit such as the WaterCheck Laboratory Test Kit ( what it tests for ), homeowners can either call a private water testing firm in their area (always make sure the lab has the correct certifications!) or use a meter like the eXact Micro 7+ Water Testing Meter along with the proper fluoride reagent delivery system (sounds much more complicated than it is!) to test fluoride levels in their drinking water.

]]> http://watertestingblog.com/2011/05/13/test-kit-for-fluoride-in-drinking-water/feed/ 0 http://watertestingblog.com/2011/04/20/water-quality-in-minnesota-metals-fluoride-too/ http://watertestingblog.com/2011/04/20/water-quality-in-minnesota-metals-fluoride-too/#respond Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:53:56 +0000 http://watertestingblog.com/?p=3907 Every once in a while we get inquiries about the water quality in specific areas or regions of the country. While we wish we could answer every one of those questions in great detail, we just cannot do so — but links off of the EPA’s Safe Water Web Site probably can.

Water Metals Test Kit

Today’s question comes from Sandy and she asked, “I live in Minnesota. Looking for information as to what’s in our public water supply. Can you recommend a good brand of home test kits for fluoride or other heavy metals?”

We took a quick look at the EPA’s Safe Water Web Site and found that it contained a feature called Safe Drinking Water Search for the State of Minnesota.

On that page you can search for Safe Drinking Water data in the SDWIS database in Envirofacts. You can choose from four possible search options: water system name, county name, population served, and/or system status.

You can access the State of Minnesota’s Drinking Water Program on this page and you will find that organization’s contact information listed below:

Drinking Water Protection Section
Dept. of Health
625 Robert Street North
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
Phone: 651-201-4700

Home test kit for metals and fluoride?

A company called Test Country offers a relatively simple test kit for metals and fluoride. Granted you will have to send in the sample to a laboratory for analysis, but not too many other ways exist for homeowners to test for potential drinking water contaminants such as antimony, barium, beryllium, uranium, selenium, fluoride, arsenic, thallium, nickel, copper, iron, manganese, aluminum, zinc, chromium, mercury and lead.

Oh, and the kit also tests the acidity level (pH) of the water sample as well as for any fluoride that may or may not be present in the sample.

Who will perform the water testing?

Glad you asked! These days one has to use caution when selecting a testing service because some ‘water professionals’ lack the official training and credentials to call themselves professionals.

NOT the case with Test Country since they use the services of a CLIA Accredited Laboratory (CLIA ID: 14D0646470, Medical Care Provider No: 148453) that claims to performed millions of comprehensive drinking water tests since 1972.

What if I don’t know how to read the report?

Don’t worry. The Test Country Lab Report won’t blind you with confusing charts, figures and things best left for scientists. Take a look at this sample water test report and see for yourself!

National Testing Laboratories Fluoride Test Kit

Looking to just test for fluoride?

A company called National Testing Laboratories offers a mail-in water testing service for fluoride by itself for around $50 (plus cost of mailing the sample to their facility). You can find more information on this fluoride testing option in our Water Test Kit Store.

Similar to Test Country, National Testing Laboratories also boasts an impressive resume when it comes to laboratory accreditation and test results typicall become available by email within 10 to 14 days of the lab receiving a water sample for analysis.

]]> http://watertestingblog.com/2011/04/20/water-quality-in-minnesota-metals-fluoride-too/feed/ 0 http://watertestingblog.com/2010/06/09/home-test-kit-for-fluoride-in-drinking-water/ http://watertestingblog.com/2010/06/09/home-test-kit-for-fluoride-in-drinking-water/#respond Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:17:58 +0000 http://watertestingblog.com/?p=1726

Do they make a test kit consumers can use to test fluoride levels in drinking water?

Once again we find ourselves drawn back to the eXact Micro 7+ Water Testing Meter which tests for up to 36 different water parameters… including fluoride.

With regard to detection levels of fluoride, the eXact Micro 7+ Meter detects as low as 0.1 ppm fluoride and as high as 1.1 ppm fluoride. The USEPA has set the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for fluoride at 4.0 ppm.

Chemistry method used: “SPADNS”

For water containing levels in excess of 1.1 parts per million the manufacturer of the meter suggests diluting the sample with distilled or deionized water.

Also, please note that the basic eXact Micro 7+ Meter Kit does not include the reagent required for fluoride testing. You can find that available on the manufacturer’s web site

I have well water so I’m safe, right?

Even your water comes from a well, fluoride may still show up in your water supply because it can erode from natural deposits in the Earth and it may also enter the environment as discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.

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