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Microplastic contamination in commercially available table salts of Pakistan
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Researchers tested table salt sold in Pakistan, from sea, rock, and lake sources, and found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) in all of them, averaging 30-35 pieces per kilogram, mostly black plastic fibers. The good news: because Pakistanis tend to eat less salt overall compared to countries like Bangladesh, their actual microplastic exposure from salt is lower, but the findings still confirm that plastic contamination has worked its way into a kitchen staple nearly everyone uses daily.
Microplastics (MPs) are widespread across the globe, in every part of the environment. Their presence is expected to triple by 2060, posing risks to both human and environmental health. The present study investigated microplastic contamination using a stereomicroscope and GC-MS in table salts of Pakistan from different origins – sea, rock, and lake. Seventeen branded and 2 unbranded salts showed about 30 to 35 microplastics were present per kilogram of salts on average with the highest 125 MPs/Kg and lowest 30 MPs/Kg. Morphologically, black-coloured microplastic fibres were found to be predominant, and polyethylene was the most abundant chemical component. This study showed that assuming 30–35 MPs per kilogram of salts are found on average, people in Bangladesh are ingesting more microplastics through table salts compared to other regions, and Pakistan ranks lowest because of its lower salt consumption.
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