Microplastics in Sea Salt — Sources, Contamination Levels, Health Effects, and How to Reduce Intake

 

🌊 Sources of Microplastics in Sea Salt

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles (<5 mm) formed from the breakdown of larger plastic waste and direct releases from human activities, including household and industrial waste. These plastic particles enter rivers and oceans, where they become mixed with seawater. Because sea salt is produced by evaporating seawater, microplastics present in the water can remain in the salt crystals, leading to widespread contamination in commercially consumed sea salt.Greenpeace+1

📊 Levels of Contamination Found in Sea Salts Worldwide

Studies have shown that over 90% of sampled table salt brands contain microplastics, with sea salt having the highest levels, followed by lake salt and rock salt.Greenpeace
• A global analysis suggests an average of about 140.2 microplastic particles per kilogram of salt, potentially leading to several hundred particles consumed per person annually from salt alone.Nature
• Some regional research has found much higher levels — for example, table salt from Croatia has been measured at 14,000–20,000 particles per kilogram, much higher than in the U.S. and China.American Chemical Society Publications
• In Bangladesh, commercial sea salt samples averaged 471.7 microplastic particles per kilogram.PubMed

🧠 Potential Health Impacts on Consumers

Although the direct health effects of ingesting microplastics remain unclear, scientists are concerned about multiple potential issues:
✔ Microplastic particles and chemicals bound to them (such as endocrine disruptors) may accumulate and cause inflammation.
✔ People may ingest thousands of microplastic particles annually from food, drink, and air, with salt being one exposure pathway among many.Greenpeace+1
✔ Ongoing research is exploring possible long-term impacts on immune function, liver and kidney health, and reproductive systems.

🛡 Ways to Reduce Microplastic Intake from Salt

While complete avoidance is not possible, you can take steps to reduce exposure:
✔ Reduce overall salt consumption in line with health guidelines.
✔ Choose rock salt or filtered salts, which in some cases show lower microplastic levels than sea salt.Welly
✔ Support brands that conduct contamination testing and disclose their findings.
✔ Reduce plastic waste in daily life to help limit plastic pollution at the source.