Fluoridation of Drinking Water -
WAC 246-290-460
The State Board of Health (Board) has adopted rules
for Group A (larger) public water systems. These
rules include a section,
WAC 246-290-460 that requires those systems that
choose to fluoridate under
RCW 57.08.012 to maintain the fluoride
concentration within a range of 0.8 – 1.3 parts per
million (ppm). The Board adopted this rule in 1983
and has not revised the fluoride concentration
since. The concentration range in the existing rule
is based on past recommendations from the U.S.
Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), which is part of the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
On January 13, 2011, HSS published a request for
comments on its proposal to change the
recommendation for the optimal fluoride level in
drinking water to 0.7 ppm. This is intended to help
prevent cavities while minimizing dental fluorosis,
a discoloration of the teeth. A concentration of
0.7 ppm would be at the bottom of the old range
recommended by CDC nation-wide. The old recommended
range assumed the concentration should be lower in
areas with higher average maximum daily air
temperatures. HHS indicates it now assumes water
intake is less variable between regions of the
country with different average maximum
temperatures. HHS has not announced a timeline for
review of comments and finalization of its new
recommendation. More information from HHS is
available at:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/01/pre_pub_frn_fluoride.html
.
The Board will consider changes to WAC 246-290-460
based on the new HHS recommendations when they are
finalized. Changing the requirements to be
consistent with federal guidance would assure more
protection of public health.
On May 13, 2011, the Board filed a Preproposal
Statement of Inquiry for rule making (a CR-101) as
WSR 11-11-046. The
Board will be announcing public meetings about this
rule making on this web site.
A tentative
timeline for rule making is available.
For additional information about this rule making
contact Ned Therien at 360-236-4103 or
ned.therien@doh.wa.gov.
To provide comments, please submit them in
writing to either:
E-mail address
ned.therien@sboh.wa.gov,
FAX number 360-236-4088, or
Mailing address:
State Board of Health
P.O. Box 47990
Olympia, WA 98504-7990
Public Meetings
