Headlines & features

Reducing dietary salt may have a logical theory, but “prudence requires that logic and good intentions also be supported by strong evidence that such an action would be safe,” argues Dr. Michael Alderman in an invited opinion column in the New York Times , February 6. He noted that the New York City Department of Health is promoting reduction of New Yorkers’ salt intakes by 40%, commenting: “If such a large reduction were actually to be achieved, however, New Yorkers would consume less sodium than people in most other developed countries do. And there is a possibility that such a big change in one element of their diet might have unintended harmful consequences.

Writing from Toronto, Ontario, Reinhard sums up the problems facing private sector contractors seeking salt to keep parking lots clear:

While there is a near-limitless supply of salt under the ground, North America's major producers have been unable to shovel it out fast enough to meet the overheated demand wrought by two overchilled winters in a row. As a result, snow-shocked governments have used their buying power to rope off most of the supply, leaving small private contractors struggling to keep retail, office and industrial properties ice-free.

EFSA has approved only 9 of 43 health claims evaluated because of high evidentiary requirements.

Microalgae may be a major source of hydrocarbons in the future.

"Above average snow totals so far this winter have been a blessing for many snow fighters," reports Snow Magazine's February Up Front news summary.

It may be record snowfall, but the supply chain is holding up -- at least in Portage County, OH. The Record-Courier reports:

Portage County is in the midst of one of the snowiest Januarys on record, yet county communities are not experiencing salt shortages or difficulties in getting salt as had been feared this winter.

Former chef and weekly news commentator Carolyn Scott-Thomas suggests a time-out on nutrition labeling until there's evidence on what works and what doesn't .

The usual question about the sufficiency of U.S. road salt supplies is whether there is heavy snow in the East, the Midwest or both. The Pacific Northwest had turned its back on using road salt, assuming its citizens were too green to permit its use. Well, this winter, they're seeing red, as Carrie Swiggum reports for Utne Reader . And, Carrie knows snow; she's from Minnesota. She writes:

The largest wetlands restoration project in the US West was halted last month due to California’s budget crisis. Conversion of 15,000 acres of the former Cargill Salt evaporating ponds ringing the southern shore of San Francisco Bay was put in limbo when state finance officials blocked release of $637 million in voter-approved bond funding for this and other water projects. <more >

The Port of Ottawa reports “slightly higher shipments before Christmas” and quotes Rideau Bulk Terminals saying a repeat of last winter's shortages should be avoided after stockpiles were increased at the Port of Prescott. The Port of Prescott, said stockpiles of road salt in 2008 are up more than 200,000 metric tonnes from 2007 as suppliers aim to forestall any shortage this winter. Total tonnage this year is over 500,000 tonnes. <more >