Fluoride content of bottled waters in Hong Kong and Qatar

Objectives: To determine the F concentration of bottled waters that was available in Hong Kong and Qatar. Study design: The F concentrations of bottled waters collected from Hong Kong (n=81) and Qatar (n=32) were analysed. The F ion selective electrode method was used to measure the F concentration in the samples. Three measurements were obtained for every sample to ensure reproducibility and appropriate statistical analyses were employed. Results: Qatar group: F concentrations ranged from 0.06ppm to 3.0ppm with a mean value of 0.8ppm. The F concentrations displayed on the labels of the samples (60%) were significantly lower than the measured F concentration (p < 0.0001). Hong Kong group: F concentrations ranged from 0.04ppm to 2.52ppm with a mean value of 0.44ppm. The F concentrations displayed on the samples (16%) were significantly lower than the measured F concentration (p< 0.0001). Conclusion: Wide variations exist in the F concentration among the different brands of bottled water available in Hong Kong and Qatar. The F concentrations displayed on the labels were not consistent with the measured F concentrations.