Fluoride is a mineral that is found both in natural groundwater and well water. Fluoride is unique because it can be a benefit to your health or it can be a well water contaminant. It all depends on the level of concentration. Just the right amount can be beneficial to your dental health but too much can cause negative health effects. Make sure you understand what fluoride is, how it gets into your well, and what you should do about it and other well water contaminants.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that is found in soil and rock in the form of fluorine. Low levels of it are added to municipal water supplies as a dental benefit. Fluoride helps to prevent and reverse the early stages of tooth decay. The levels of naturally occurring fluoride will vary based on your geographic region. Drier regions tend to have higher levels of fluoride than regions that experience higher levels of rainfall. While low doses can be beneficial for you, high levels of fluoride can have a negative effect on your body.
Negative Health Effects
High levels of fluoride in your water is not good for you, especially for infants or children under the age of nine. Excess exposure over time can cause skeletal fluorosis which is the accumulation of fluoride in your bones. Skeletal fluorosis can cause pain, stiffness of joints, damage to your bone structure, calcification of ligaments and crippling effects. Because of the negative effects fluoride can have on your body, it is very important to have your home tested for well water contaminants.
The Path to Your Well
How does fluoride get into your well? As it was said before, municipal water suppliers place low levels of fluoride in the water. They only add about .7 to 1.2 ppm (parts per million) to the water. But that’s not the only way fluoride can get into your well water. Rainwater or surface water passes through these fluorine-bearing minerals in soil and rocks and then fluoride is released through the process of leaching. Naturally occurring fluoride levels can vary greatly from .1 to 12 ppm. The natural levels will vary based on the nature of the rock and soil, as well as the presence of fluorine-bearing minerals around your well.
Testing For Well Water Contaminants
The answer is yes. It is important for you to be aware any well water contaminants that are present, especially if you have young children in your home. The only way to know for sure how much fluoride is in your well water is to have it tested. It can be difficult to do so since the depth of the well and seasonal changes can have an effect on the fluoride levels but a professional will know your local conditions and can give you an accurate test for well water contaminants.Test Your Well Water Contaminants ASAP
Even though low levels of fluoride can be beneficial to your health, it is important that those levels do not reach a certain point. Being aware of your fluoride levels will help keep you and your family safe.
At A1 Well Drilling & Pump Service, we take pride in our 4 generations of efficient and quality workmanship. We offer a variety of services including well drilling, well and pump service, water treatment installation and service. Our trucks are fully equipped to handle any problem that may occur with your well. If you’re nervous about the fluoride levels in your well, call us today to set up an appointment. We’ll give you the peace of mind you deserve.
