Microplastics in Salt and Sugar

New Delhi | Desk: In eye-opening research published recently, all kinds of Indian salts and sugar brands whether big or small, packaged or unpackaged, consist of microplastics (MP).

The study titled as, “Microplastics in Salt and Sugar” conducted by the environmental research organization Toxics Link.

It tested 10 types of salt — including table salt, rock salt, sea salt and local raw salt — and five types of sugar purchased from both online and local markets.

The study revealed the ubiquity of microplastics in all the ecological spheres that exist in various shapes and forms, such as fibers, fragments, spheres, granules, beads.

Salt, the most commonly consumed food item that plays an essential role in maintaining the level of various ions in the human body, is also a preservative.

Microplastics in salt samples categorized into three main size groups

The size of the microplastics in salt samples were identified into three main size groups i.e., 0.1-0.3 mm, 0.3-1 mm, and 1-5 mm.

In the iodized salt samples-1 had the most MPs in the 0.1-0.3 mm size (61%), followed by the 0.3-1 mm size (26%).

In iodized salt samples-2 and 3, most MPs were in the 0.3-1 mm range (63% and 42%), with 0.1-0.3 mm particles being the next most common (25% and 37%).

The largest MPs, in the 1-5 mm range, were the least common in all samples, 13% in iodized salt sample-1, a total of 12% in iodized salt sample-2, and 21% in iodized salt sample-3.

The analysis revealed that in the local PS-1 (pre-processed salt), Most MPs were in the 0.3-1 mm range (50%), followed by 0.1-0.3 mm (43%).

The least were in the 1-5 mm range (7%).

While, in the local PS-2 (processed salt), Most MPs were in the 0.1-0.3 mm range (53%), followed by 1-5 mm (27%). The least were in the 0.3-1 mm range (20%).

Since the processing breaks larger MPs into smaller pieces, which is why local PS-2 has more MPs in the smaller size ranges compared to local PS-1.

In the sea salt samples, most MPs in sea salt sample-1 were found in the 0.3-1 mm range (49%), followed by 0.1-0.3 mm (40%).

In sea salt sample-2, the majority of MPs were in the 0.1-0.3 mm range (53%).

Only a small number of MPs in the 1-5 mm range (11%) was detected in sample-1, while sample-2 had none in this size range.

In samples rock salt-2 and rock salt-3, most MPs were in the 0.1-0.3 mm range, making up 38% and 43% respectively.

The least common MPs were in the 1-5 mm range for RS-2 (29%) and the 0.3-1 mm range for RS-3 (21%).

In contrast, rock salt-1 had the majority of MPs in the 0.3-1 mm range (60%), with 20% of MPs in both the 0.1-0.3 mm and 1-5 mm ranges.

The analysis of salt samples showed that most MPs were found in the 0.1-0.3 mm and 0.3-1 mm size ranges.

The abundance of smaller MPs is concerning because they can easily penetrate the skin and reach other organs, potentially affecting biological functions.

Overall, iodized salt samples had a high concentration of microplastics, while rock salt samples generally contained lower levels, except for the inorganic variety.

Microplastics found in sugar

Microplastics are found in a widespread form and detected in day-to-day food items as well.

Recent studies have emphasized the presence of micro and nanoplastics in fruits, vegetables, and a wide range of packaged food products.

Food consumption is now recognized as one of the primary pathways for human exposure to these tiny plastic particles.

With the per capita consumption of sugar of approximately 10 spoons per day, the average Indian eats almost 18 kg of sugar per year.

The study found varying levels of microplastics in different sugar samples.

Among the five tested, Su-1 had the highest concentration at 68.25 pieces per kilogram of dry weight.

This was followed by Su-5 with 49.49 pieces, Su-4 with 27.81 pieces, and Su-3 with 24.36 pieces.

The lowest level was found in the organic sugar sample, Su-2, which had 11.85 pieces per kilogram.

In sugar samples Su-1, Su-3, and Su-4, most microplastics (MPs) were between 0.1 and 0.3 mm in size, with the smallest range having the highest percentage (44% to 50%).

The 1-5 mm size range had the least presence, making up only 15% to 24%. In Su-5, the majority of MPs (59%) were in the mid-size range of 0.3 to 1 mm.

However, the organic sugar sample, Su-2, had a higher proportion (50%) of larger MPs in the 1-5 mm range.

Since salt and sugar occupy an important role in our daily diet and consumed in one form or the other, almost daily by the majority of people, billions would be at risk of exposure to MPs in these products.

The study is particularly significant as microplastics (mp) are found in various parts of the human body, including lungs, blood, and digestive system.

This raises severe health concerns due to their potential toxic effects and their ability to cause inflammation and other health problems.

Salt and Sugar: sources of microplastics in the human body

Microplastics have been detected in various parts of the human body, including hair, saliva, lungs, breast milk, placenta, blood and even semen.

Mps can enter our body through ingestion, inhalation, or direct skin contact.

Once inside they begin causing harmful effects, such as inflammation, and are distributed across different tissues and organs depending on their size.