How to Remove Fluoride from Drinking Water

Preventing Fluorosis
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com

Most people are aware that there is a controversy surrounding public fluoridation of drinking water. Here is a list of ways to obtain drinking water without fluoride. In addition, I've listed water purification methods which do not remove fluoride from water.

Ways to Remove Fluoride from Water

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  Reverse Osmosis Filtration This is used to purify several types of bottled water (not all), so some bottled waters are unfluoridated. Reverse osmosis systems are generally unaffordable for personal use.
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  Activated Alumina Defluoridation Filter These filters are used in locales where fluorosis is prevalent. They are relatively expensive (lowest price I saw was $30/filter) and require frequent replacement, but do offer an option for home water filtration.
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  Distillation Filtration There are commercially available distillation filters that can be purchased to remove fluoride from water. On a related note: When looking at bottled water, keep in mind that 'distilled water' does not imply that a product is suitable for drinking water and other undesirable impurities may be present.

These Do NOT Remove Fluoride

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  Brita, Pur, and most other filters. Some websites about fluoride removal state otherwise, but I checked the product descriptions on the companies' websites to confirm that fluoride is left in the water.
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  Boiling Water This will concentrate the fluoride rather than reduce it.
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  Freezing Water Freezing water does not affect the concentration of fluoride.

Steps to Reduce Fluoride Exposure

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  Don't take fluoride supplements.
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  Read labels on bottled beverages. Unless they are made using distilled or reverse-osmosis water, they are probably made with fluoridated public water.
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  Consider using unfluoridated toothpaste.
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  Avoid drinking black or red tea. They come from two different types of plants, but both leaves naturally contain high amounts of fluorine.
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  Be wary of tinned fish and canned food items. Fluoride may be used as a preservative.
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  Avoid black or red rock salt or items containing black or red rock salt.
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  Avoid using chewing tobacco.
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  Avoid long term use of medication that contains fluorine. Certain antidepressants and medications for osteoporosis contain fluorine.
  

Ref: http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/a/removefluoride.htm