Which agencies are recommended to set the optimum fluoride level in drinking water?

• A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• B. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• C. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• D. Department of Health and Human Services and the USEPA

Answer: (D)

Setting the optimum fluoride level in drinking water involves both health guidance and regulatory standards. The Department of Health and Human Services provides the recommended level to optimize decay prevention while minimizing fluorosis (0.7 mg/L). The Environmental Protection Agency then enforces drinking water standards, controlling fluoride through its primary maximum contaminant level and a secondary standard to protect against cosmetic effects. Together, these two agencies establish the official, widely accepted framework for fluoride levels in public water systems. The other agencies shown don’t set drinking water fluoride limits: CDC offers health guidance but not regulatory limits, and NIOSH/OSHA focus on workplace safety rather than municipal drinking water quality.