Yes, the BOROUX Proactive Fluoride Filter removes over 99.9% of fluoride.
A pair of Proactive Filters can reduce fluoride for up to 1,000 gallons. The patent-pending Upflow Design and dual-layer nano-carbon filtration maximize filtration. Housed in durable stainless steel shells, the fluoride water filters are compatible with BOROUX Foundation and Black Berkey® filters.
It's important to note that fluoride is not filtered by the BOROUX Foundation Filters. Test results on the Foundation Filters shows that fluoride is reduced for only a few gallons, which is not enough to meet fluoride filtration standards. BOROUX does not extrapolate data or make false claims.
BOROUX currently has two types of filters: Foundation Filters and Proactive Filters. The Foundation Filters are the core of every system. Foundation Filters effectively filter 80+ contaminants (but not fluoride). The Proactive Filters are optional and must be used in with the Foundation Filters. Proactive Filters are specifically designed to take care of fluoride.
Learn more about the BOROUX Proactive Filter
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is when the the chemical element, fluorine, bonds with a metal. Fluoride is an anion, meaning it is a negatively charged ion. When a fluorine atom gains an electron to achieve stability, it becomes a fluoride ion (F-). Fluorine is a pale yellow-green gas with a sharp odor. It is represented by the symbol F on the periodic table, is the lightest and most electronegative element, belonging to the halogen group. Fluorine's atomic number is 9.
Fluorine is abundantly found in Earth's crust but typically in the form of minerals such as fluorite, fluorspar, and cryolite. When fluorine combines with metals it makes sodium fluoride and calcium fluoride. Sodium fluoride dissolves in water, but calcium fluoride does not. Fluorine also combines with hydrogen to make hydrogen fluoride, a colorless gas. Hydrogen fluoride dissolves in water to form hydrofluoric acid.
Fluorine and hydrogen fluoride are used to make certain chemical compounds. Hydrofluoric acid is used for etching glass. Other fluoride compounds are used in making steel, chemicals, ceramics, lubricants, dyes, plastics, and pesticides. Fluorides are often added to drinking water supplies and to a variety of dental products, including toothpaste and mouth rinses, to prevent dental cavities.
How Does Fluoride Get into Tap Water?
Fluoride can be naturally occurring and it can be intentionally added to water. Naturally occurring fluoride enters water sources from the erosion of rocks and minerals, with varying levels based on geological and geographical factors. Intentionally added fluoride is often due to public health initiatives through a process called water fluoridation.
Naturally Occurring Fluoride
Areas that are located in high-grade metamorphic terranes with granitoid or alkaline intrusions, geothermal hot springs, and volcanic regions with arid or semi-arid climatic conditions are more likely to have high fluoride concentrations. High concentration of fluoride in groundwater is reported in many countries such as: Argentina, China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, South America, Iran, Pakistan, Kenya, and Sri Lanka ( Wang and Huang, 1995 Ayoob and Gupta, 2006,Rafique et al., 2009, Chandrajith et al., 2012, Craig et al., 2015). In 2011, the World Health Organization reported that many groundwater sources unsuitable for drinking purposes due to high concentrations of fluoride (Xiao et al., 2022a). According to the WHO, the allowable limit for fluoride in groundwater is < 1.5 mg/L.
Manual Water Fluoridation
The practice of adding fluoride to public water supplies began in the 1940s, rooted in research showcasing fluoride's potential to prevent tooth decay. It emerged from studies conducted in Colorado Springs, where researchers observed that areas with naturally high fluoride levels in water showed fewer instances of cavities. This discovery led to subsequent trials and studies, culminating in the implementation of water fluoridation for enhanced dental health.
Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the inaugural city to introduce fluoride into its water supply in 1945, marking the inception of a nationwide initiative. Over time, comprehensive studies reinforced the positive dental health effects of fluoridation, prompting widespread adoption across the United States and eventually globally.
Why Should Fluoride Be Filtered?
Filtering fluoride from tap water provides individuals with control over their fluoride intake. Anyone concerned about potential health risks associated with fluoride should filter their water. When consumed in excess, fluoride can lead to fluorosis which leads to the degradation of the skeletal system. Fluoride exposure can come from multiple sources; tap water, dental products, and processed foods. Filtering fluoride from water is one way to reduce he cumulative buildup of fluoride.
Adverse Health Effects of Fluoride
Pineal gland calcification is the most prominent concern and has attracted scientific interest. The pineal gland is a vital part of the endocrine system. Located in the brain, it is responsible for melatonin production and regulating sleep patterns. Research shows that fluoride can calcify the pineal gland. When calcified, the endocrine system is impaired and contributes to a disrupted circadian rhythm.
Lower Intelligence Quotient in children is particularly alarming for parents. JAMA pediatrics published this study in 2025 showing that when children had higher levels of fluoride in urine, their IQ decreased by 1.63 points per 1 mg/L of fluoride. In addition to these findings, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) reported moderate confidence that high fluoride exposure of 1.5 mg/L is linked to lower IQ in children.
Chronic fluoride exposure may contribute to joint pain, stiffness, and altered bone structure, which are all symptoms of skeletal fluorosis. Skeletal fluorosis is a condition when a person is chronically overexposed to fluoride. It can result in osteoporosis and arthritis, and once a person has it, it never goes away. The Maximum Contaminant Level for fluoride is 4 mg/L per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidelines.
The common argument in favor of fluoride is that is helps with dental health, however fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis. Excess fluoride exposure can cause discoloration and enamel pitting on teeth. Dental fluorosis is especially common if children are exposed to high fluoride levels in in the first eight years of their life.
Fluoride exposure may interfere with iodine absorption, potentially affecting thyroid health and increasing the risk of hypothyroidism. Studies suggest an association between fluoride levels and altered thyroid function, particularly in iodine-deficient populations.
Why is Fluoride Difficult to Filter from Water?
Fluoride is a particularly difficult contaminant to separate from water and requires specialized filtration methods. Fluoride ions are relatively small in size, making them difficult to capture using traditional filtration methods. Fluorine's atom is very small, which pulls electrons closer to its nucleus, creating a strong attraction. Due to the size of the fluoride molecules, they can pass through most physical barrier filters.
Fluoride ions are electrochemically stable, meaning they do not readily undergo chemical reactions. Fluorine has a high effective nuclear charge, contributing to its high electronegativity. This charge prevents fluoride from being removed from water through conventional treatment methods. This stability makes it challenging to chemically precipitate or neutralize fluoride ions in water.
Fluoride compounds, such as sodium fluoride or fluorosilicic acid, are highly soluble in water. This solubility means that fluoride ions remain dissolved in water, making them difficult to separate from the water through physical or chemical processes.
Fluoride Filtration Solution
Fluoride can be present in drinking water either from man-made initiatives or from normal earthly occurrences. If eliminating fluoride is a priority, add the Proactive Filter to a gravity-fed water filter system. The advanced BOROUX fluoride filter technology protection against the negative health affects of fluoride.