The Know Daily - Monday 27 January 2025

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Transport for London (TfL) is planning to set up solar panel farms to power the tube network. The project is part of TfL’s ambitions to run operations on 100% renewably-sourced energy by 2030.

🦷 The fluoride debate

Donald Trump's administration is expected to push to ban fluoride from drinking water, prompting renewed discussion about its safety and efficacy.

Hold up. What’s fluoride?
It’s a natural mineral found in rocks. It helps dental health by strengthening tooth enamel, making it more decay-resistant and preventing cavities. While almost all waterways contain some fluoride naturally, levels aren't normally high enough to prevent tooth decay. The practice of adding fluoride to tap water – AKA fluoridation – first started in 1945 in the US state of Michigan, and followed in the UK two decades later. 

Why are we telling this story now?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr – Donald Trump’s pick for health secretary – has vowed to remove fluoride from tap water in the US, starting in 2025. He claims that it’s “an industrial waste” that’s associated with a host of diseases. 

The call to remove fluoride in the US comes as there’s a renewed push for more fluoridation in the UK. In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan is being urged by health experts to add fluoride to the capital’s waterways, and last spring the government announced plans to expand water fluoridation in northeast England.

What’s the reaction been?
Dental experts largely disagree with the push to remove fluoride and international health agencies have endorsed it as safe and effective. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has named fluoridation of drinking water one of the 10 greatest health interventions in the 20th century.

In recent years, some experts have questioned its continued use since it’s now widely available in dental products such as toothpaste. However, fluoridation remains “a practical, cost-effective, and equitable way for communities to improve their residents’ oral health”, according to the CDC. While there have been some fringe anti-fluoride movements, experts maintain that “the benefits greatly outweigh the risks”. In the UK, healthcare specialists are largely on the same page and view fluoridation as a “safe and effective public health measure”.

Could it actually be scrapped in the US?
Removing fluoride from drinking water would take years and likely come up against legal challenges, as well as face opposition from the American Dental Association. What’s more, the US federal government doesn’t have the final say on the matter – it can only advise state and local health authorities to stop it.

💰 Money Monday: Individual Savings Accounts can be tricky to navigate – here are some helpful resources if you’re looking to create a new one or manage an existing account: An overview from the government, an easy-to-follow explainer and how to decide what type to get.

🎶 Add to playlist: The nominees for the 2025 Brit Awards are out, with this artist leading the charge.

⭐ 5 stars: Google is set to crack down on fake reviews in the UK to increase consumer confidence.

🪸 Clever coral: Scientists have discovered that mushroom coral “walk”, showing that the species can resist and adapt to environmental changes.

🎂 Decadent desserts: The 2025 Pastry World Cup took place this weekend – here’s the countries that made the podium.

🚆 Train travel: After a 2 year wait, these two European cities will finally be connected by a direct train.

🔗 Last week’s most clicked: The coolest jobs on Earth, a fully plant-based work canteen + a rundown of Trump’s executive orders.

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Trivia answer: C) A group of buffalos is called an obstinacy – check out other unexpected collective animal names here.

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