Plastic has shaped our world since its invention in 1907 by Leo Bakelite. He wasn’t just searching for any material—he wanted something that could insulate well. What he created was Bakelite: a durable, heat-resistant material that sparked a revolution. Fast forward, and today the world produces around 400 million metric tons of plastic every year.
But here’s the flip side: About 269,000 tons of that plastic ends up in our oceans each year. And it’s not just floating around where we can’t see it—it’s turning up in places we’d least expect. One shocking example? Our sea salt.
Check out this cool infographic to put it all into perspective.
Microplastics in Sea Salt: A Closer Look
A study in 2018 found that sea salt contains double the amount of microplastics compared to lake salt. On average, sea salt holds around 550 to 681 microplastics per kilogram.
Imagine: Take a 1-liter water bottle and fill it with grains of sand. That’s how many microplastics are in a kilogram of sea salt.
Want to know more? Here’s a visual comparison I put together to show how much microplastic is also in bottled water.
So why is there so much Microplastic in Sea Salt?
Microplastics ending up in salt, particularly sea salt, is a growing concern. Here’s a simple explanation of how this happens:
Let’s break it down simply:
- Plastic in Oceans: Over time, large plastic items in the ocean break down into tiny pieces—microplastics.
- Floating in Seawater: These particles float around in seawater, mixing with the salt and other minerals.
- Salt Production: Sea salt is made by evaporating seawater, which leaves behind the salt crystals we use in food.
- Trapped Microplastics: During the evaporation process, microplastics get trapped in the forming salt crystals. And once collected, those microplastics remain in the final product we use daily.
Salt with a Side of Plastic: The Hidden Ingredient
Imagine seasoning your favorite meal with sea salt. What you might not know is that you’re also sprinkling a little plastic on your plate. Brace yourself: The average adult consumes around 2,000 microplastics per year just from salt alone.
Health Risks of Microplastics in Salt
- Direct Ingestion: Eating sea salt means directly consuming microplastics. On average, an adult consumes about 2,000 microplastics from salt every year, based on typical salt intake.
- Microplastics as Pollutant Carriers: Microplastics can absorb harmful pollutants like persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Once ingested, they may release these toxins into your body.
- Size Matters: Smaller microplastics (under 150 μm) can penetrate biological barriers more easily, leading to greater toxicity. Many studies focus on larger particles, possibly underestimating the impact of smaller ones.
- Other Sources of Microplastics: While sea salt contains microplastics, other foods like seafood and bottled water may expose you to even more. But salt adds an extra layer of concern.
- Long-Term Effects: The long-term health effects of ingesting microplastics aren’t fully known yet. But concerns include inflammation, hormone disruption, and toxic reactions from chronic exposure.
How To Avoid Buying Salt With Microplastics?
🔥🔥First of all any brand that claims that they have no microplastics is a SCAM.🔥🔥
The reason is that it’s extremely difficult to get raw materials, ie water without any microplastics in it in the first place.
Second it’s unlikely that a salt manufacturer will invest in the equipment needed in order to prove that they do not have microplastics in it. I won’t bore you with all of the details of the machines but to give you some perspective here is what would be required.
Stereomicroscope: This is a basic microscope used to see larger microplastics (about the size of a grain of sugar or bigger). These can cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000, depending on the brand and features.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM): SEMs allow you to see much smaller microplastics with very high detail. They are much more expensive:
- Small, desktop SEMs cost between $7,500 and $75,000.
- Larger, high-end models can cost as much as $550,000.
Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): This machine helps identify what type of plastic you’re looking at by analyzing its chemical makeup. New models cost between $10,000 and $35,000, but refurbished ones can be found for $10,500 to $19,000.
Nile Red Staining Kit: This kit is used to make microplastics glow under special lighting, making them easier to see. It costs about $318 for 200 tests.
As you can see there is a bit to this.
So How Do We Avoid Microplastics in Sea Salt?
Look for brands that do not have any plastic in the packaging. Haha, Easy right? Well not really.
Anything with plastic is a NO-BUY!
Look for brands that sell their products in cardboard packages or glass containers. These materials are not only better for the environment but also reduce the chances of microplastics sneaking into your salt.
This also shows that the brand is at least aware of having microplastics in its products and might be taking more steps than most to reduce microplastics in their products.
Bonus Tip: Consider buying salt from local producers who focus on sustainable harvesting methods. Some smaller operations may use traditional methods and avoid heavy industrial processes, potentially lowering the risk of contamination.
By making more informed choices, you can reduce your microplastic exposure and contribute to a cleaner planet!
Talk to you again soon,
Miles