Study Finds Microplastics In All Indian Salt And Sugar Brands

Microplastics pose significant health and environmental risks globally, contaminating air, water, soil, food, and even human organs. A recent study by the environmental research organization Toxics Link, titled “Microplastics in Salt and Sugar,” found that all Indian salt and sugar brands, regardless of size or packaging, contain microplastics.

The study tested 10 types of salt, including table salt, rock salt, sea salt, and local raw salt. It found that iodized salt had the highest microplastic levels at 89.15 pieces per kilo, while organic rock salt had the lowest at 6.70 pieces per kilo.

The microplastics in iodized salt were primarily multi-colored thin fibers and films. Overall, microplastic concentrations in the samples ranged from 6.71 to 89.15 pieces per kilo of dry weight.

The researchers also examined five types of sugar from online and local markets, finding microplastic concentrations ranging from 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kilo. Non-organic sugar had the highest levels.

The study identified various microplastic forms in all salt and sugar samples, including fibers, pellets, films, and fragments, with sizes ranging from 0.1 mm to 5 mm.

A recent study by researchers from Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University in China found that boiling and filtering water can significantly reduce microplastic concentrations.

In some cases, this method removed up to 90% of nanoplastics and microplastics. For more details, click here to read the full story.