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With a pinch of salt: microplastics and trace elements in sea salts for human consumption
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Researchers tested 18 brands of sea salt sold in Belgian stores and found that most contained tiny plastic particles called microplastics, along with trace amounts of metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Since sea salt is a staple in most kitchens, this means people may be unknowingly consuming small amounts of plastic and metal contaminants with every meal, though the study didn't determine exactly how much of a health risk these low levels pose. The findings highlight a need for more research and possible safety standards, since salt is such a widely used food product.
Are commercial sea salts on the European market contaminated with microplastics or trace elements?And if so, what are the implications for food safety?To give an answer to these questions asked by the Belgian Federal Ministry for Public Health, 18 brands of commercial food graded sea salts were collected from Belgian supermarkets and speciality stores.As sea salts are harvested from seawater, they might contain contaminants present in the marine environment, but also the production and food processing methods may lead to increased concentrations of microplastics and trace elements.Therefore, sea salts from different origins and with varying harvesting, production and processing methods were selected.Microplastics were extracted from the sea salt through a hydrogen peroxide treatment to dissolve the organic matter, and were further identified and quantified after filtering by means of a stereo microscope.Trace elements (As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Br) were determined by Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS).
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Researchers tested 18 brands of commercial sea salt from Bangladesh and found microplastics present in every sample, with an average of about 472 particles per kilogram. The study suggests that sea salt represents a dietary pathway for human microplastic exposure, with fibers and fragments being the most commonly detected particle types.
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Scientists measured microplastic contamination in different types of edible salt using advanced chemical analysis and found that sea salt contained the most microplastics, roughly 17 times more than rock salt. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET made up the vast majority of particles found, and some contamination came from the salt packaging itself. Based on average salt consumption, a person using sea salt could be exposed to over 2,300 micrograms of microplastics per year through salt alone.
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