Study finds microplastics in all Indian salt and sugar brands: What are the health impacts?

All Indian salt and sugar brands, irrespective of their size, whether big or small, packaged or unpackaged, contain microplastics.

Sumit Jha

Published Aug 14, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 14, 2024 | 12:00 PM

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The presence of microplastics, that adversely affect human health, is a growing concern around the globe. Meanwhile, a recent study showed that not even packaged salt and sugar are free from microplastics.

All Indian salt and sugar brands, irrespective of their size, whether big or small, packaged or unpackaged, contain microplastics, according to a study published on Tuesday, 13 August.

The study, titled “Microplastics in Salt and Sugar” and conducted by the environmental research organisation Toxics Link, tested 10 types of salt — including table salt, rock salt, sea salt and local raw salt— and five types of sugar purchased from online and local markets.

The study revealed the presence of microplastics in all salt and sugar samples, in various forms, including fibre, pellets, films and fragments. The size of these microplastics ranged from 0.1 mm to 5 mm.

“The highest levels of microplastics were found in iodised salt, in the form of multi-coloured thin fibre and films,” said the study.

Also Read: Microplastics are contaminating our water; IISc has now found a solution

Presence in salt samples

The concentration of microplastics in the salt samples ranged from 6.71 to 89.15 pieces per kg of dry weight, the report said.

Iodised salt had the highest concentration of microplastics (89.15 pieces per kg) while organic rock salt had the lowest (6.70 pieces per kg), according to the study.

In sugar samples

In sugar samples, the concentration of microplastics ranged from 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kilogram, with the highest concentration found in non-organic sugar.

Microplastics are a growing global concern because they can harm health and the environment. These tiny plastic particles can enter the human body through food, water and air.

Asks for long-term health impacts

Toxics Link founder-director Ravi Agarwal said, “The objective of our study was to contribute to the existing scientific database on microplastics so that the global plastic treaty can address this issue in a concrete and focused manner.”

“We also aim to trigger policy action and attract researchers’ attention to potential technological interventions that could reduce exposure risks to microplastics.”

Toxics Link Associate Director Satish Sinha added, “Our study’s finding of substantial amounts of microplastics in all salt and sugar samples is concerning and calls for urgent, comprehensive research into the long-term health impacts of microplastics on human health.”

Recent research has found microplastics in human organs such as the lungs, heart, and even breast milk and unborn babies.

Previous studies found that the average Indian consumes 10.98 grams of salt and around 10 spoons of sugar every day — much higher than the World Health Organisation’s recommended limits.

Also Read: Residential buildings are a source of microplastic pollution, says IIT-Madras

Microplastics in food and their health impacts

Microplastics are small plastic particles less than 5 mm in size that make their way into animal bodies usually through food supply. These tiny plastic fragments come from the breakdown of larger plastic items and from microbeads used in personal care products. Some key points about microplastics in food:

How microplastics contaminate food

Microplastics migrate into food from plastic packaging materials, especially when heated or stored for long periods.
Plastic food packaging like water bottles, to-go containers, cans, and wraps contain microplastics that can leach into the food.
Microplastics are also absorbed by crops from contaminated soil and water, with higher levels found in root vegetables compared to leafy greens.
Microplastics have been detected in many common foods including seafood, salt, sugar, honey, beer, and drinking water.

Health risks of microplastics

Microplastics can disrupt hormones and are associated with increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
Chemicals added to plastics like BPA and phthalates are endocrine disruptors that mimic hormones and interfere with their normal functions.
Ingesting microplastics may cause cell damage, inflammation, allergic reactions, and oxidative stress.
Sharp-edged microplastics are more likely to rupture cell walls and cause cell death.
Microplastics have been found in human placenta, breast milk, stool, and blood, indicating they are being absorbed into the body.

Exposure levels

An average person may consume over 50,000 microplastic particles per year from food alone.
Exposure increases to 90,000 particles per year for those who drink bottled water regularly.
In the US, an adult may consume 11,000 ± 29,000 microplastic particles annually, with a maximum of 3.8 million particles.

To reduce microplastic exposure, experts recommend limiting highly processed foods, choosing eco-friendly packaging, avoiding plastic containers for hot food, and drinking tap water instead of bottled water when possible.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with PTI inputs)

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