Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Hamze Sharifi ¹
• Hossein Movahedian Attar ²

¹ Student Research Committee, School of Health; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

² Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health; Environment Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Aim: In this study, the microplastic (MP) concentration in several brands of salts was investigated. Materials and Methods: Fifteen samples of crystallized salt, refined sea salt, unrefined sea salt, and rock salt were purchased from local markets and analyzed for MPs concentration. The salts were digested with the Catalytic Wet Peroxide Oxidation method first, and the MPs were floated based on density difference. Then, MPs were counted by scanning electron microscopy and nature was confirmed by using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Results: The MP concentrations in crystallized salt, refined sea salt, unrefined sea salt, and rock salt were 151.4 ± 48.8, 406.7 ± 93.3, 1417.4 ± 203.3, and 283.4 ± 97.0 MPs/kg, respectively. The most abundant polymers were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The fiber was the dominant shape of MPs in all salt samples. Conclusions: This study reveals the presence of MPs in crystallized salt, refined sea salt, unrefined sea salt, and rock salt. Therefore, the consumption of salts can expose humans to MPs.

Keywords

• Microplastic
• refined salt
• rock salt
• salt
• sea salt
• unrefined salt