Papers

20 results
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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

Microplastics pollution in salt pans from the Maheshkhali Channel, Bangladesh

Researchers analyzed sea salt samples from eight salt pans in the Maheshkhali Channel of Bangladesh and found microplastic contamination in every sample, with concentrations ranging from 78 to 137 particles per kilogram. Fragments were the most common type, and the dominant polymers identified were terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene. The findings highlight that sea salt represents a potentially significant route of human dietary exposure to microplastics.

2021 Scientific Reports 82 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 Chemosphere 39 citations
Article Tier 2

“Microplastic seasoning”: A study on microplastic contamination of sea salts in Bangladesh

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.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 34 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

Proliferation of microplastics in commercial sea salts from the world longest sea beach of Bangladesh

Researchers analyzed 13 commercial sea salt brands from Bangladesh and found an average of 2,676 microplastic particles per kilogram — among the highest levels reported globally — with polystyrene and polyethylene fragments and fibers being the most common types. Based on typical salt consumption, Bangladeshis may ingest over 13,000 microplastic particles per year through salt alone, raising public health concerns.

2022 Environmental Advances 79 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic presence in commercial marine sea salts: A baseline study along Tuticorin Coastal salt pan stations, Gulf of Mannar, South India

Twenty-five sea salt samples from Tuticorin coastal salt pans in India were analyzed for microplastics, with particles under 100 μm comprising 60% of contaminants and polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymers. The study establishes a baseline for microplastic contamination in commercially harvested sea salt from South India.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 117 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
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastics in coastal ecosystem of Bangladesh

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in water, beach sand, and fish along two major coastal areas of Bangladesh. Microplastics were found in every sample type, with fibers being the most common shape and polyethylene and polypropylene the dominant plastic types. Fish accumulated microplastics in their digestive tracts and body tissues, raising concerns about human exposure through seafood consumption in the region.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 22 citations
Article Tier 2

An Integrated Spatial Assessment of Macro-, Meso-, and Microplastic Pollution Along Cox’s Bazar Beach in Bangladesh

Researchers conducted the first comprehensive assessment of macro-, meso-, and microplastic pollution along the full coastline of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, sampling 23 stations across tourism, active, and less active beach zones. Plastic abundance varied significantly by zone and land use, with fragments and films as dominant types, reflecting Bangladesh's high plastic waste mismanagement rates.

2025 Recycling
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in coastal Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh: Quantification, distribution, and characteristics

This study surveyed microplastic pollution along the Cox's Bazar coastline in Bangladesh, one of the world's longest beaches, finding significant contamination in both sediments and seawater with levels varying by tidal zone and beach location. Polyethylene was the most common polymer type, and scanning electron microscopy revealed weathered particle surfaces indicating long-term environmental exposure. The findings establish a baseline for microplastic monitoring in a heavily visited coastal region with limited waste management infrastructure.

2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials Plastics
Article Tier 2

Health risk and ecological risk assessment from microplastic contamination in sea salt : case study in Ban Laem salt field, Phetchaburi, Thailand

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.

2023 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The Existence, Characteristics, Sources, and Impact of Microplastics in Salt Products in Indonesia

This systematic literature review described the presence, characteristics, sources, and health impacts of microplastics in Indonesian salt products, finding consistent contamination across regions with PP, PE, and PA as dominant polymer types. The main contamination sources were polluted seawater used in salt production and unmanaged plastic waste near coastal evaporation ponds.

2025 Proceeding of International Seminar and Workshop on Public Health Action
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

Global Pattern of Microplastics (MPs) in Commercial Food-Grade Salts: Sea Salt as an Indicator of Seawater MP Pollution

A global analysis of commercial sea salts found microplastics in samples from 21 countries, with the highest concentrations in sea salts from Asia and the lowest in rock and lake salts. The findings suggest that sea salt can serve as an indicator of seawater microplastic pollution levels in surrounding regions.

2018 Environmental Science & Technology 387 citations
Article Tier 2

High levels of microplastics in commercial salt and industrial salterns in Sri Lanka

All commercial salt products tested in Sri Lanka were contaminated with microplastics, with concentrations ranging from 11 to 193 items/kg in commercial salts and up to 253 items/kg in lab-grade NaCl, and significant variation between three analyzed saltern sites.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 77 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in salt pans and commercial salts – A baseline study on the salt pans of Marakkanam and Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, India

Microplastic contamination was documented in commercial table salts and salt pan waters from two sites in Tamil Nadu, India, with fiber types dominating samples and concentrations reflecting regional coastal and atmospheric plastic pollution inputs.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 67 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2020 E3S Web of Conferences 12 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 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