We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Health risk and ecological risk assessment from microplastic contamination in sea salt : case study in Ban Laem salt field, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Summary
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in Thai sea salt and found hundreds of particles per kilogram across both traditional and plastic salt fields, with polyamide, polyethylene, and polypropylene fragments most common, posing measurable ecological and potential human health risks.
Microplastics are ubiquitous in all terrestrial and aquatic environments. In this research, microplastic contamination in sea salt produced from traditional and plastic salt fields was studied. Including seawater used as a raw material for producing sea salt in Ban Leam salt fields, Phetchaburi, Thailand. Random samples were collected 3 replicates per point, for a total of 42 samples. 5M NaCl solution was used to separate the density and digest the organic substances using 0.05 M Fe (II) and 30% H2O2. The shape and color of the microplastics were characterized using a 30x magnification microscope. The amount, size, and polymer type of microplastics were examined using the micro-Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR) The results of the study found microplastic contamination in sea salt produced from traditional salt fields as follows: Salt grains 424 (186-642) particles/kg, Salt flower 415 particles/kg, and sea salt produced from plastic salt field has the following amounts of microplastic contamination: salt grains 273 (145-533) particles/kg, Salt flower 540 particles/kg and seawater 166 (18-456) particles/L. The common microplastic shapes were fragments and fibers. The most common colors were blue and transparent. The size of microplastics found ranges from 16-100 µm, followed by 101-500 µm. Types of microplastic polymers found include polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene (HDPE). The results of the study also indicate the age group that may be most exposed to microplastics from sea salt consumption was between the ages of 16 -18 years in males, which has an average exposure microplastics of 905.20 particles/person/year. The risk of hazardous substances from microplastics contaminated in sea salt was found at risk level 2. The ecological risk assessment found that the Pollution load index of microplastic concentration in seawater raw material was level I, low toxic (PLI = 2.15), and the potential ecological risk of microplastics concentration in seawater raw material was at the minor level (PER = 14.99). This study points to the level of microplastic contamination that may affect consumers of sea salt. Manufacturers and policymakers can use this information to find ways to reduce microplastic contamination in sea salt.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Risk assessment of microplastic in commercial salt sold in Malaysia
Researchers conducted a risk assessment of microplastics in commercial table salt sold in Malaysia, finding that contaminated seawater used during sea salt production introduces microplastics into a widely consumed daily food ingredient with potential adverse health effects.
Microplastic pollution from sea salt: its effect on public health and prevention alternatives - a review
This review examines microplastic contamination in sea salt from countries that export to Indonesia, summarizing polymer types, contamination levels, public health effects of ingested microplastics, and potential prevention strategies to reduce human salt-borne plastic exposure.
Microplastic contamination in processed and unprocessed sea salts from a developing country and potential risk assessment
Researchers found that sea salts from Bangladesh contained 157-195 microplastic particles per kilogram, 2-3 times higher than levels reported in other countries, with unprocessed salts containing more contamination than processed varieties.
Extraction of microplastics from commonly used sea salts in India and their toxicological evaluation
Scientists extracted and characterized microplastics from commercial sea salts sold in India, finding contamination across brands and conducting toxicological tests showing potential harm to marine organisms.
Assessment of microplastics in edible salts from solar saltpans and commercial salts
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in sea salts from solar salt pans in Tamil Nadu, India, and several commercial salt brands. The study confirmed the presence of microplastics in all salt pan samples and two commercial salt brands, with fewer than 350 polymer fragments per sample representing multiple polymer types. These findings suggest that sea salt production is a pathway for microplastic contamination to reach human diets.