Michelle Kovatch, age 12, of Edison, N.J., for her question:

WHAT IS IODIZED SALT?

Iodized salt is common table salt which contains a small quantity of an iodide as a supplement to the diet. It is especially recommended for a person with an iodine deficiency.

Salt is necessary for health. Every body cell must have salt in order to live and work. Tears, sweat and even blood are salty. About 0.9 percent of the blood and the body cells is made up of salt. Often when medicine is injected into the bloodstream, it is mixed with a salt solution that is composed of sterile water and 0.9 percent salt.

Less than five percent of the salt production of the world is used for seasoning foods. Most is used for processing food, making glass, soap and other products. It is estimated there are more than 14,000 uses for salt.