Recent study finds microplastics in all the Indian salt and sugar brands tested, how do they impact our health?

Recent study by Toxic Links, an NGO registered in Delhi, revealed the presence of microplastics in all the Indian salt and sugar brands tested during the study.

To test the presence of microplastics, researchers purchased ten salt and five sugar samples, both branded and unbranded, online and from local markets. Microplastics of different sizes and forms were found in all salt and sugar samples tested.

What are microplastics (MPs)?

Microplastics (MPs) are defined as plastic particles that have a size range of less than 5 mm down to 1µm (1µm equals 10^-6 m). These microplastics are generated by the process of degradation and fragmentation of larger plastic materials due to mechanical fragmentation, photolytic and biological degradation. These microplastics even end up in our food due to pollution and improper handling.

Sources of microplastic pollution in salt

The presence of microplastics in salt can result from various sources, including plastic waste, clothing fibers and microbeads in personal care products. Sea salt is more likely to contain microplastics compared to rock salt as seawater is more likely to be contaminated with microplastics due to marine pollution. Similarly, salt produced in areas with high levels of plastic pollution, such as coastal regions, is more likely to contain microplastics compared to salt produced in areas with lower levels of plastic pollution. Salt obtained through traditional evaporation tends to have a higher microplastic content. This is most likely due to the increased exposure of traditional production methods to environmental contaminants, including microplastics.

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

Sources of microplastic pollution in sugar

Sources of microplastics contamination in sugar may include sugar cane processing, purification, refinement and packaging of sugar. Indirect sources of microplastics in sugar can be from both agricultural and industrial activities that release these particles into the environment.

Use of plastic mulch in agriculture can result in slow absorption of degraded plastic particles from the mulch entering the roots of plants either directly or through absorption of water contaminated by microplastics. Thus, plastic mulch can contribute to the presence of MPs in sugar, as these MPs can be absorbed by sugar cane plants, from which sugar is produced.

The use of plastic-based agrochemicals can also be responsible in the contribution to microplastic contamination in sugar.

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

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Health hazards of microplastics in salt and sugar

The average Indian consumes about twice the amount of salt (10.98 grams) than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 grams per day. In addition, with a per capita sugar consumption of approximately 10 spoons per day, the average Indian consumes almost 18 kg of sugar per year. With such a high consumption of salt and sugar in India, the intake of microplastics is also expected to be substantial as microplastics were found in all the Indian salt and sugar brands tested during the study.

Although, currently, there is limited knowledge on the health effects of microplastics, several studies have suggested that microplastics can pose a risk to human health. Plastic products, and consequently the microplastics degraded from them, are complex chemical mixtures containing multiple additives.

Chemical Additives in Microplastics: Microplastics contain a variety of chemical additives, which can be harmful when ingested. These additives may interfere with normal bodily functions, including hormone regulation.

Endocrine Disruption: A 2020 study reported that microplastics and their associated chemicals can interfere with hormone receptors, leading to endocrine disruption. This disruption can cause reproductive disorders, developmental delays, and even cancer.

Vectors for Pollutants: Microplastics can act as carriers for pollutants such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals. A 2016 study found that these pollutants can accumulate in the food chain, increasing the risk to human health as they become more bioavailable to marine organisms and, eventually, humans.

Gastrointestinal Damage: Ingestion of microplastics can cause physical damage to the gastrointestinal tract, leading to inflammation and other related problems.

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

Article for information purposes only, based on a study conducted by Toxic Links, an NGO registered in Delhi. You can access the complete report by clicking here. Contents of the article are not meant for medical use or reference.