A study of the microplastic contamination of commercial table salts: A case study in Nigeria
Journal Title: Environmental Health Engineering and Management Journal - Year 2023, Vol 10, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: Environmental pollution caused by microplastics (MPs) is quite ubiquitous and has become a global issue. Several studies have focused on MPs in marine and freshwater systems. However, there is a paucity of data about the presence of MPs in sea products like table salt and the risks they likely pose. Hence, this study investigated the presence of MPs in commonly consumed commercial table salts in South-West, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 8 different brands of commonly consumed commercial salts were purchased from open supermarkets in Ogun and Lagos States, Nigeria. Salt samples were digested with 30% H2O2, extracted for MPs, and observed under a digital microscope for shape, quantity, and colour. Results: Fibres and fragments were the plastic shapes found in the samples, with fibres being more prominent. The average content of MPs obtained was 12 particles/kg. Blue, pink, and purple colours of MPs were commonly found. The sizes of MPs were between 50 μm and 1 mm. Considering our findings and based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) recommended daily intake of 5 g of salt, Nigerian adults will consume an average rate of 21.9 microplastic particles/year. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, table salts commonly consumed in Nigeria are polluted with MPs. Due to the importance of table salt as related to daily food intakes, it becomes very necessary to fine-tune technologies in their production to improve the quality and lower MPs ingested by consumers in Nigeria.
Authors and Affiliations
Oluwatosin Sarah Shokunbi, David Olaoluwa Jegede, Olutayo Sunday Shokunbi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP718088
- DOI 10.34172/EHEM.2023.24
- Views 105
- Downloads 0
Income inequality and environmental degradation in the provinces of Iran
Background: Despite the detrimental environmental and distributional effects of economic activity in Iran, these effects are not uniform across provinces. Environmental degradation and income inequality are increasing...
Evaluation of lead and cadmium concentrations in lipstick and eye pencil cosmetics
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in lipstick and eye pencil cosmetics of different grades in the markets of Iran. Methods: This descriptive study was co...
Comparison of heavy metals contamination and ecological risk between soils enriched with compost and chemical fertilizers in the North of Iran and ecological risk assessment
Background: Nowadays, uncontrolled use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture is one of the reasons for the entry of heavy metals into the environment. In this study, the heavy metals contamination of the soils enriche...
Peptides on a rescue mission against the hazardous cidal chemicals used in Eastern Indian Agriculture: An in-silico approach based on field survey in 2020
Background: The use of poisonous agrochemicals is both necessary and menacing for a farmer. The long-term hazards of chemicals can even be life-threatening to many people. Recently, the adverse effects of such chemical...
An investigation of agricultural use potential of dewatered sewage sludge
Background: One of the useful applications of Dewatered sludge (DWS) of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is its use as manure in agriculture; therefore, its quality characteristics should be specified. The a...