Introduction:
Americans already tend to eat too much salt. Though salt is an essential mineral, the human body requires less than 500 milligrams per day to function —less than a quarter of a teaspoon [American Heart Association]. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a daily value less than 2,300 mg of sodium (1 tsp) for adults without sodium restricted diets; yet, the average American eats more than 3,400 mg of sodium each day. These concerning numbers, however, only capture sodium intake from food.
Baseline salt concentrations are increasing in the northeastern United States freshwater systems toward levels that not only degrade natural ecosystems but also impact public health.
Considering the well-known link between excess sodium consumption and kidney disease, heart disease, and high blood pressure, we must address salt pollution to protect both human and environmental health.
Learn More about Salt:
- How Salty is Maryland
- How Salt Gets into the Environment
- Salt: Health and Safety
- Environmental Effects of Salt
- Salt Management: Best Practices
- Legal Liability: What does it mean for salt?
- What You can do about Salt!
