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

• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22101-0
• Publication Date: 2022-07-30T04:02:33Z
• Authors: Aswin Kuttykattil; Subash Raju; Kanth Swaroop Vanka; Geetika Bhagwat; Maddison Carbery; Salom Gnana Thang...; Sudhakaran Raja; Thava Palanisami
• Keywords: commercial salt; 0301 basic medicine; microplastics; Microplastics; Sustainable Development Goals; Australia; salt consumption; human health; SDG 14; 333; 6. Clean water; Diet; fibres; 03 medical and health sciences; 13. Climate action; Humans; Salts; Sodium Chloride, Dietary; Plastics; Water Pollutants, Chemical; SDG 3; Research Article; Environmental Monitoring

The omnipresence of microplastics (MPs) in marine and terrestrial environments as a pollutant concern is well established widely discussed the literature. However, studies on MP contamination commercial food sources like salts from environment are scarce. Thus, this first study to investigate various varieties Australian (both salts) source MPs human diet, detect black salt. Using Nile red dye, were detected counted under light microscopy, further characterised using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDS). Of all 90 suspected particles, 78.8% identified with size ranging between 23.2 µm 3.9 mm. fibres fragments constituted 75.78% 24.22% respectively. Among tested samples, Himalayan pink salt (coarse) was found have highest load, i.e. 174.04 ± 25.05 (SD) particle/kg, followed by at 157.41 23.13 particle/kg. average concentration 85.19 63.04 per kg. Polyamide (33.8%) polyurethane (30.98%) dominant types. Considering maximum recommended (World Health Organization) uptake adults daily 5 g, we interpret that an person living Australia may be ingesting approximately 155.47 MPs/year uptake. Overall, higher (such salt) than In conclusion, highlight those used our lives serve unknown effects health.