Microparticles and microplastics contamination in African table salts

Fadare, Oluniyi O.; Okoffo, Elvis D.; Olasehinde, Emmanuel F.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112006

Cited by 56 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…From the 11 studies conducted around the world on salt MPs, our global review concluded that PP was highly abundant in European and Asian salts, PE in Oceanian salts, PE and PET in South American salts, PE in North American salts, and PET in African salts (Table S2 , Figs. S4 , S5 , and S6 ) (Fadare et al 2021 ; Gündoğdu 2018 ; Iñiguez et al 2017 ; Karami et al 2017 ; Kim et al 2018 ; Kosuth et al 2018 ; Lee et al 2019 ; Renzi and Blašković 2018 ; Sathish et al 2020 ; Seth and Shriwastav 2018 ; Yang et al 2015 ). A global map representing the contamination of MPs in salt per kg was generated (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Kuttykattil

Raju²,

Vanka³

et al. 2022

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Kuttykattil

Raju²,

Vanka³

et al. 2022

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…The presence of coastal debris reduces the attractiveness of a region to tourists, influencing local economies (e.g., hotel prices and attractions) [ 101 ]. Thus, to avoid economic decline, municipalities have to clean beaches and treat waste, which is not negligible and represents EUR 19 million per year for the United Kingdom [ 102 ]. For fisheries/aquaculture, the economic effects are mainly associated with the repair of equipment damaged by the presence of litter and cleaning at harvesting sites (approximately EUR 156,000 per year in Scotland) or the loss of biological resources due to debris [ 102 ].…”

Section: Problematic Management Of Plastic Wastementioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics: A Real Global Threat for Environment and Food Safety: A State of the Art Review

et al. 2023

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Microplastics are small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics, ubiquitous in nature and therefore affect both wildlife and humans. They have been detected in many marine species, but also in drinking water and in numerous foods, such as salt, honey and marine organisms. Exposure to microplastics can also occur through inhaled air. Data from animal studies have shown that once absorbed, plastic micro- and nanoparticles can distribute to the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, thymus, reproductive organs, kidneys and even the brain (crosses the blood–brain barrier). In addition, microplastics are transport operators of persistent organic pollutants or heavy metals from invertebrate organisms to other higher trophic levels. After ingestion, the additives and monomers in their composition can interfere with important biological processes in the human body and can cause disruption of the endocrine, immune system; can have a negative impact on mobility, reproduction and development; and can cause carcinogenesis. The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has affected not only human health and national economies but also the environment, due to the large volume of waste in the form of discarded personal protective equipment. The remarkable increase in global use of face masks, which mainly contain polypropylene, and poor waste management have led to worsening microplastic pollution, and the long-term consequences can be extremely devastating if urgent action is not taken.

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“…This means that nearly all the water on the planet is polluted, affecting many water-related products and activities. Thus, it is not surprising to know that microplastics have also been spotted in table salt samples and in many fruits and vegetables (Fadare et al, 2021;Karami et al, 2017;Kosuth et al, 2018;Oliveri Conti et al, 2020;Yang et al, 2015). Moreover, ingestion is not the only means of exposure to microplastics for humans.…”

Section: Impacts Of Microplastics Pollutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tackling Marine Microplastics Pollution: an Overview of Existing Solutions

Fiore

Garofalo

Migliavacca

et al. 2022

Water Air Soil Pollut

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Microplastics pollution is one of the main environmental challenges of our time, even though microplastics were observed for the first time almost 50 years ago. Microplastics—little plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm in size—are released from bigger plastic objects during their use, maintenance, or disposal. As their release is uncontrolled and mostly uncontrollable, microplastics end up in the environment and are easily transported across the world, polluting nearly every ecosystem, especially the aquatic ones. Hence, microplastics represent a huge menace for many living species: they are ingested unintentionally by smaller animals and transferred along the food chain up to human beings, even threatening our health. It is therefore vital to take action against microplastics and many technologies have been designed in recent years with this purpose in mind. This paper provides an overview of the main solutions developed thus far to reduce further microplastic emissions and to collect those already released.

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Microparticles and microplastics contamination in African table salts

Cited by 56 publications

References 27 publications

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

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

Microplastics: A Real Global Threat for Environment and Food Safety: A State of the Art Review

Tackling Marine Microplastics Pollution: an Overview of Existing Solutions

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