Plastic particles were found in sea salt
Plastic particles were found in sea salt
According to a report in the science report by Malaysian researchers, plastic waste enters the ocean and eventually breaks down into small pieces and comes back to our table salt. The researchers examined 16 samples of sea salt from eight countries and found that 15 of them contained plastic particles (MPs). In total, they collected 72 particles from salt, using microscopic Raman spectroscopy to identify their constituents mostly plastic polymers and pigments.
The amount of plastic in the salt is low enough to be harmful to health - even if sea salt is our only source of salt. However, the researchers believe that condiments are still worth the constant attention.
They point out that our increasing use of plastics "may lead to gradual accumulation of plastic particles in oceans and lakes, and therefore in aquatic products." It is imperative to regulate the number and type of plastic particles in different Marine products.
It's not the first time researchers have found plastic from the food chain. The plastic waste that is thrown into the watercourse is broken down and absorbed by water. Previous studies have found that the particle size of particles in Marine products such as fish shellfish is between 1 and 1000 microns. However, there is no detailed study of residual conditions in salt grains.
The researchers used filters and spectra to find one to ten particles in 16 brands of salt - they did not mention the survey's brand. (at the beginning of the study, they also prepared a 17th brand, but the sample was removed because of calcium deposits in the table salt, which blocked the filter.)
They found that most of the debris was fragments of old plastic products that showed signs of ageing, which also ruled out interference in the experiment.
The most common polymers are polypropylene and polyethylene, followed by polyethylene terephthalate, polyisoprene and nylon 6. They also found pigments, including phthalocyanine, chrome yellow and copper phthalocyanine. The above ingredients can be found in all plastic products, acrylic fibers and dyes.
Based on their findings and global salt intake, the researchers estimated that people ate about 37 MPs a year from sea salt if they were from sea salt. In contrast, earlier studies have estimated that europeans who love shellfish may eat 11, 000 MPs a year. It is not clear whether the quantity is harmful to human health.
