Suncoast Searchlight partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.
Florida lawmakers just banned fluoride in public water. Can the federal government stop them?
No.
No federal law requires drinking water to be fluoridated. Water fluoridation is decided at the local and state levels because of “The Safe Drinking Water Act” signed in 1974.
Some states have laws that require water systems of a certain size to provide fluoridated water. In other areas, the level of fluoride in water is already naturally high.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday to make Florida the second state to ban fluoride in public drinking water. This comes two months after Utah passed a ban in March.
In 2022, 78% of Florida’s population received fluoridated water, ranked 23rd in the nation.
Fluoride is a natural element found in groundwater and oceans. Small amounts provide dental benefits while excessive intake can cause bone brittleness and infertility.
The EPA sets legally enforceable limits for maximum fluoride levels in drinking water. The CDC makes non-enforceable recommendations for minimum levels.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
— Aaron Mammah
Can drivers get a speeding ticket in Sarasota school zones when the lights aren’t flashing?
Yes.
Although motorists can get a ticket without the flashing signs, the speed limit being enforced depends on the time of day.
When lights are flashing in a school zone in the city of Sarasota, a special speed limit –– usually 15 or 20 miles per hour –– is in effect. If drivers speed more than 10 mph over that limit, they’ll be automatically ticketed a $100 fine by speed-tracking cameras.
Once the lights stop flashing, drivers aren’t required to go the special school zone speed but still must follow the regular posted speed limit. If drivers speed 10 mph over that regular limit during school hours, they’ll still be ticketed by the cameras.
The cameras activate 30 minutes before school starts and deactivate 30 minutes after school ends. They also aren’t active on weekends or holidays.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
— Clinton Engelberger
This story was originally published by Suncoast Searchlight, a nonprofit newsroom delivering investigative journalism to Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. Learn more at suncoastsearchlight.org.
