Fluoride content of still bottled waters available in the North-East of England, UK

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study were to measure the fluoride content of still bottled waters on sale in the UK and to estimate and compare the fluoride intake from tap and bottled water for British children. Methods: Three bottles of 25 commercial brands of bottled water were purchased from supermarkets, grocery stores and health shops in the North-East of England. All samples were still spring, mineral or distilled waters, sold in plastic bottles. The fluoride content of all samples was determined, in duplicate, using a Fluoride Ion Selective Electrode. Results: The mean (± SD) fluoride content of the bottled waters was 0.08 (± 0.08) mg L-1 with a range from 0.01-0.37 mg L-1 which is below the accepted standard for optimally fluoridated water. The mean fluoride intake for 4-18-year-olds when the source of water intake is solely fluoridated tap water was estimated to be 0.26 mg F per day; compared with 0.16 mg F per day, when a combination of tap and bottled water is consumed. Conclusions: Bottled water, from those sampled, is unlikely to make an important contribution to total fluoride intake in British diets. Consumption of bottled water containing a negligible amount of fluoride in preference to fluoridated tap water might result in less than optimal fluoride ingestion in young people.