'Sodium Footprint' Reduction Programs: Washington State Department of Ecology Openly Discusses Regulatory Conflict

OLYMPIA, Aug. 23--In a sharply-worded press release, issued in conjunction with a media briefing and a 10,000-page report, Washington Department of Ecology officials criticized the Legislature for failing to understand the difficulties they face in implementing the state’s latest environmental initiative.

“We cannot work on the governor’s unconstitutional executive order to implement climate change programs, and carry out the legislative leadership’s hopes to reduce Washington’s sodium footprint at the same time,” Dr. I.M. Overzealous, director of the Bureau of Helpful Environmental Regulation, said in the prepared statement. 

The officials maintain that the Legislature’s new directives to reduce sodium use and releases into the Washington state environment set up a conflict with the state’s greenhouse-gas efforts.

“We are begging people to ride bikes, walk, run or any other non-hydrocarbon burning means of transporting themselves or products. Our problem comes with perspiration. The more we as humans exert ourselves, the more we sweat, and the more we sweat, the more salty (sodium) excretions run from our body. Yes, a wet armpit, stomach or back are badges of social consciousness. But these proud badges also represent lots of sodium. We are having particular problems in warm summer months,” said Dr. Overzealous.

It seems the production of sodium through “sweat” is increased during the summer months because warm temperatures cause more perspiration. This problem is a “double whammy” for state regulators because it is precisely during periods of warm temperatures that Washington state residents are most likely to increase their biking, walking or running.

So far DOE’s educational efforts have fallen flat with the general public, Dr. Overzealous admitted. “The movie theaters are all but refusing to prohibit salt use on popcorn, and the sodium free hotdogs at the sporting events are just not selling,” he stated.

Sodium is a slippery silver substance at room temperature. Released into the atmosphere, it combines with various elements forming compounds that magnify the sun's energy and increase transpiration rates. It is also used on French fries.