Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Detection of Microplastic in Sun-Dried Salt using Spectroscopic Technique

Researchers used spectroscopic techniques to detect microplastics in sun-dried sea salt from South Korea. Microplastics were found in the salt samples, confirming that sea salt produced from ocean water is a pathway through which humans can ingest plastic particles through everyday food consumption.

2020 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집
Article Tier 2

Identification and quantification of microplastics in table sea salts using micro-NIR imaging methods

Near-infrared imaging was used to detect and count microplastics in table sea salt samples, providing a faster and more accurate method than visual sorting. Sea salt is a well-documented source of human microplastic ingestion, and better detection methods help quantify this exposure.

2018 Analytical Methods 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and quantification of common microplastics in table salts by a multi-technique-based analytical method

Researchers developed a multi-technique analytical method combining microscope-FTIR and pyrolysis-GC/MS to identify and quantify microplastics in table salts, providing 3D information on polymer type, morphology, and chemical composition of food-grade salt contaminants.

2022 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 26 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

An Integrated Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Coastal Surface Water and Sediment of Japan

Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution in surface water and sediment at 15 coastal locations across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. They extracted over 53,000 suspected microplastic particles and identified the most common polymers using FTIR spectroscopy. The study provides an integrated baseline dataset for understanding the extent and distribution of microplastic contamination along Japanese coastlines.

2025 Environmental Science & Technology 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics retrieval from commercial rice brands in india: Characterization, dietary exposure, and risk assessment

Researchers detected microplastics for the first time in commercial rice brands sold in India, using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy to identify polymer types. The findings raise concerns about dietary microplastic exposure through one of the world's most widely consumed staple foods.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

An investigation on the prevalence of microplastic in commercial and open pan salts obtained from Cox's Bazar and Maheshkhali region of Bay of Bengal (Bangladesh)

Researchers found microplastics in all commercial and open pan salt samples from the Cox's Bazar and Maheshkhali regions of Bangladesh, identifying polyethylene, PET, and other polymers through FTIR and Raman spectroscopy analysis.

2023 Food Science & Nutrition 14 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 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

Identification and quantification of microplastics in salts by complementary approaches using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (Py-GC/QTOFMS) and laser direct infrared (LDIR) chemical imaging analysis

Researchers used complementary analytical approaches, including pyrolysis-gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and laser direct infrared imaging, to identify and quantify microplastics in table salt. The study provides improved mass concentration data for different polymer types and sizes of plastic particles contaminating salt products worldwide.

2024 Environmental Pollution 19 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

Microplastics in Spanish Table Salt

This study analyzed samples of commercially sold Spanish table salt and found microplastics in some products, adding to a growing body of evidence that sea-derived food products are contaminated with plastic particles. The results underscore the difficulty of avoiding microplastic exposure in everyday foods.

2017 Scientific Reports 382 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of microplastics in different salts from Iran

Researchers analyzed microplastic concentrations in fifteen samples of crystallized, refined sea, unrefined sea, and rock salts from Iranian markets using scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy, finding microplastic contamination across all salt types with concentrations varying by processing method.

2021 International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Salt of Tuticorin, Southeast Coast of India

Researchers extracted and characterized microplastics from 14 brands of food-grade sea salts and bore-well salts from Tuticorin, India, finding contamination in both salt types with fibers and fragments as dominant forms and polyethylene as the most common polymer.

2020 Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 114 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastic contamination of salt intended for human consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined microplastic contamination in table salt from around the world. It found that microplastics are present in most salt products intended for human consumption, with sea salt generally containing more particles than rock or lake salt, representing a consistent source of dietary microplastic exposure.

2020 SN Applied Sciences 60 citations
Article Tier 2

A comprehensive pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis for the assessment of microplastics in various salts

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.

2024 Food Chemistry 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Field Survey of Indoor Microplastic in Four Regions of Japan

Researchers surveyed indoor microplastic contamination in residential house dust across four regions of Japan, using micro-FTIR spectroscopy to identify multiple polymer types — including polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene — in settled floor dust, extending previous Tokyo-focused findings to a national scale.

2023 E3S Web of Conferences 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
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

Microplastic contamination in edible sea salt from the largest salt-producing states of India

Microplastics were found in edible sea salt samples from the major salt-producing states of India, with crystal salt containing lower concentrations than powdered salt, and fibers and fragments as the dominant types, confirming that sea salt is a source of human dietary microplastic exposure in South Asia.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 63 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics Detected in Commercial Sea Salt

Researchers detected nanoplastic particles in commercial sea salt samples using advanced analytical techniques, demonstrating that a widely consumed everyday food product is contaminated with plastic nanoparticles derived from ocean and atmospheric pollution. The findings raise concerns about dietary nanoplastic exposure for people of all ages through routine salt consumption.

2022
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

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)