About 240 million tons of salt are used each year in the world. U.S. salt reserves contain an estimated 55 trillion metric tons of salt.
Source: Salt Institute
Stories by FactCheck.org
January 9, 2010
An estimated 1.8 percent of U.S. adults are underweight, due to poor nutrition or health conditions.
Source: 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
January 8, 2010
According to the 2008 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 41.5 percent of physicians reported at least partially using electronic medical records in their office-based practices. In 2007, the figure was 34 percent.
Source: CDC
January 7, 2010
The macaroni penguin is the most numerous of the 17 species of penguins in the world.
Source: International Penguin Conservation Work Group
January 6, 2010
Jazz musician and composer Dizzy Gillespie died on this day in 1993 in Englewood, N.J.
Source: Library of Congress
FactCheck Mailbag, Week of Dec. 29-Jan. 4
This week, readers sent us comments on our Whoppers story, our mailbag, our bias and Climategate (but it’s not what you think!).
In the FactCheck Mailbag we feature some of the e-mail we receive. Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length.
January 5, 2010
Risk for fractures from osteoporosis or low bone mass will affect one in two Americans aged 50 and older by 2020.
Source: CDC
January 4, 2010
The Census Bureau projects that this month net international migration will add one person every 37 seconds to the U.S. population.
Source: Census Bureau
January 3, 2010
The mathematical formula for determining which college teams will play in the Bowl Championship Series was first created in 1997.
Source: Bowl Championship Series
January 2, 2010
This month, the Census Bureau projects that one birth will occur every eight seconds and one death every 12 seconds in the U.S.
Source: Census Bureau