Water Contaminants

Two liters of tap water may provide fluoride approaching the lower range of historical thyroid-suppressing doses. Fluoride was historically used to suppress hyperthyroid activity. Fluoride and chlorine in tap water can compete with iodine uptake because they are chemically similar to iodine. Activated carbon filtration can remove most chlorine from water. A practical filtration approach is whole-house carbon for chlorine and reverse osmosis for fluoride in drinking water. Fluoride toothpaste can contribute to total fluoride load, especially when swallowed.