Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Evaluation of vertical distribution characteristics of microplastics under 20 μm in lake and river waters in South Korea

Brazilian researchers developed a cost-effective optical microscopy method using Bengal Rose dye to identify microplastics in commercial table salt, finding contamination in all six brands tested — including an analytical-grade salt — at levels ranging from 33 to 236 particles per kilogram. Fibers accounted for 63% of particles found, with fragments making up the rest. The study confirms that everyday food staples are a route of microplastic ingestion and provides a practical, affordable screening method for low-resource settings.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microparticles in Table Salt: Levels and Chemical Composition of the Smallest Dimensional Fraction

Analysis of commercially available table salts found microplastic particles and non-synthetic micro-particles in multiple brands, with the smallest size fractions being most abundant and most difficult to identify. The study raises concerns about human dietary exposure to microplastics through a universally consumed food product.

2019 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection and Characterization of Microplastics in Commercial Salts in India

Researchers detected and characterized microplastics in commercial salts available in India, including rock salt, sea salt, and table salt varieties. The study found widespread microplastic contamination across salt types, raising food safety concerns given the ubiquity of salt as a dietary staple.

2024 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Consuming microplastics? Investigation of commercial salts as a source of microplastics (MPs) in diet

Researchers analyzed various commercial Australian salts, including both marine and terrestrial varieties, for microplastic contamination. The study detected microplastics in all salt samples tested, including the first detection in black salt, indicating that commercial table salt is a potential dietary source of microplastic exposure for humans.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in Indonesian consumable salts

Researchers analyzed both traditionally produced and commercial branded sea salts from Indonesia and found microplastics in all samples tested. Traditionally produced salts contained the highest contamination levels, with up to 3,753 particles per kilogram, though branded salts also contained significant amounts. The study indicates that sea salt is a notable dietary source of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2024 Journal of Sea Research 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Food Grade Salts in India

Researchers analyzed 30 brands of food-grade salt available in India and found microplastics in all samples, with sea salt containing 13 to 27 particles per 100 grams and rock salt containing 8 to 29 particles per 100 grams. Particle sizes ranged from about 19 to 1,433 micrometers, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the most commonly identified polymer. The study suggests that salt is a routine dietary source of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2026 Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in salts from India And Sri Lanka

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in commonly available salts from India and Sri Lanka, including sea salt, rock salt, and refined table salt. Microplastics were detected across most salt varieties, indicating that this staple condiment is a dietary route of human microplastic exposure in South Asia.

2024 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of the presence of insoluble particles and microplastics in sea salts in Brazil

Researchers analyzed sea salts from Brazilian markets for the presence of microplastics and other insoluble particles. The detection of microplastics in commercially sold sea salt raises consumer exposure concerns, as salt is used universally in cooking and food processing.

2019 Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo)
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastic contamination in table salts in Padang City, Indonesia, and control strategies for choosing healthy salt

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in ten brands of table salt commonly consumed in Padang, Indonesia. The study found microplastic particles in all brands tested, ranging from 30 to 510 particles per kilogram, with fragments being the most common shape, suggesting that salt products represent a meaningful source of dietary microplastic exposure.

2023 International Journal of Environmental & Analytical Chemistry 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of salt intended for human consumption for the presence of physical contaminants: microplastics an emerging contaminant in the food area

Researchers analyzed eight salt samples sold in Rio de Janeiro supermarkets and found physical contaminants consistent with microplastics in five of them, suggesting oceanic microplastic contamination is reaching consumers through table salt and underscoring the need for food quality monitoring programs.

2023 Brazilian Journal of Health Review 2 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Total Environment Research Themes 21 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in commercial salt for human consumption: A review

This review examines microplastic contamination in commercial table salt from 128 brands across 38 countries on five continents. Researchers found that while microplastic concentrations in salt are lower than in some other food products like mussels, salt represents a significant long-term daily exposure route for the general population. The study highlights that commercial salt contaminated with microplastics may contribute to cumulative human exposure alongside other dietary and environmental sources.

2019 Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 316 citations
Article Tier 2

The presence of microplastics in commercial salts from different countries

Researchers analyzed 17 commercial salt brands from eight countries and found microplastic particles in all but one, with concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 particles per kilogram. The most common plastics were polypropylene and polyethylene, appearing mainly as fragments. While the estimated human intake from salt alone appears minimal, the study confirms that microplastics have infiltrated yet another everyday food product.

2017 Scientific Reports 623 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in table salt sold in the selected local markets inSamar, Philippines

Researchers tested for microplastic contamination in commercial table salt sold in local markets in Samar, Philippines, a seafood-dependent region where marine microplastic contamination is a direct food safety concern. Microplastics were detected in salt samples, confirming that this widely consumed condiment is a pathway for human microplastic ingestion in Philippine communities.

2024 Food Research 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Contamination of table salts from Turkey with microplastics Part A Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment

This study analyzed 16 brands of table salt from Turkish markets and found microplastics in most samples, with concentration varying by salt type and source. The findings add to growing global evidence that microplastics have entered the human food chain through commercial sea and lake salt.

2018 Food Additives and Contaminants Part A-chemistry Analysis Control Exposure & Risk Assessment
Article Tier 2

Contamination of Indian sea salts with microplastics and a potential prevention strategy

All eight brands of Indian sea salt tested were found to contain microplastics, with concentrations ranging widely across brands, and the study proposed using improved salt harvesting methods to reduce contamination. The findings add to global evidence of widespread microplastic contamination in commercially sold sea salt, with direct implications for human dietary exposure.

2018 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 175 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination of table salts from Taiwan, including a global review

Researchers analyzed table salt products sold in Taiwan for microplastic contamination and detected an average of nearly 10 microplastic particles per kilogram of salt. Polypropylene and polyethylene were the most commonly identified polymer types. The study includes a global comparison showing that microplastic contamination of table salt is a widespread phenomenon, representing a consistent low-level dietary exposure pathway for consumers.

2019 Scientific Reports 203 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 UiTM Institutional Repositories (Universiti Teknologi MARA)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Table Salts: Sources, Abundance, Types, and Consumption– A Review

This global review synthesizes research on microplastic contamination in table salts, examining sources, abundance, particle types, and estimated human consumption, finding that sea salts tend to have higher microplastic loads than rock or lake salts.

2025 Pakistan Journal of Analytical & Environmental Chemistry
Article Tier 2

Quantifying ecological risks of aquatic micro- and nanoplastic

This study analyzed microplastic contamination in table salts from multiple countries and found plastic particles present in the vast majority of samples tested. Sea salt contained the highest levels of microplastics compared to rock and lake salts, reflecting the extent of marine plastic pollution. The findings suggest that table salt is a previously underappreciated pathway for human microplastic ingestion, with estimated annual intake varying by geographic region.

2018 Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 531 citations
Article Tier 2

Contamination of table salts from Turkey with microplastics

Sixteen brands of table salt sold in Turkish markets — including sea, lake, and rock salts — were found to contain microplastics, with the highest concentrations in sea salt. The study adds to global evidence of microplastic contamination in commercially sold salt and indicates widespread human dietary exposure through this common food ingredient.

2018 Food Additives & Contaminants Part A 266 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2020 Chemosphere 95 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in Table Salts from China

Researchers analyzed table salts produced in China and found microplastics contaminating samples from multiple salt types, suggesting that salt production processes and source water quality influence the extent of microplastic contamination in a common food ingredient.

2015 Environmental Science & Technology 1056 citations
Article Tier 2

Litter & microplastics features in table salts from marine origin: Italian versus Croatian brands

Researchers analyzed microplastic content in marine-origin table salts from Italian and Croatian commercial brands, finding microplastic contamination in all tested products with no macroplastic or mesoplastic particles recovered, and characterizing the size, shape, and polymer types present.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 156 citations