What happens when your staple food ingredients are found to be contaminated with plastic without you even knowing it? A recent study found that every type of salt and sugar in the Indian market consists of microplastics.
The contamination story is not new but the shock is that basic ingredients one cannot avoid eating are subdued by plastics. There are no exceptions and alternatives as well. All brands available, local, or national are telling their plastic story.
What Does The Study Show?
The “Microplastics in salt and sugar” study was conducted by Toxics Link, an environmental research organisation. The sample taken for the study included 10 types of salt and 5 types of sugar.
The study has revealed that iodised salt contains the highest concentration of microplastics, with 89.15 pieces per kilogramme, while organic rock salt has the lowest at 6.70 pieces per kilogramme. The research also noted that non-organic sugar had the most microplastics among sugar samples, ranging from 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kilogramme.
Microplastics identified in both salt and sugar samples came in eight different colours: transparent, blue, violet, red, yellow, green, black, and white. The study, however, is not new. There have been earlier studies that have tried to quantify microplastics in sugar and salt, in China, India, Australia, and France.
Toxics Link’s director and founder Ravi Agarwal told PTI, “The objective of our study was to contribute to the existing scientific database on microplastics so that the global plastic treaty can address this issue in a concrete and focused manner.”
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are pervasive elements, precisely polymers, that the studies show are found in almost every part of nature. The microplastics have different shapes and colours. The size of its diameter ranges from five millimetres to one micrometre.
Microplastics are produced mainly by the degradation and erosion of the plastics dumped in the environment or by directly manufacturing them for industrial use. The latter is called primary microplastics while the former is known as secondary microplastics. The primary microplastics are used in cosmetics, clothing, synthetic fibres, and cleaning agents.
35% of MNPs in the ocean are said to have originated from clothes. MNPs are so pervasive that they are even found in human bodies including the placenta and the blood of the fetus. For general information, plastic is a by-product of fossil fuel.
According to The Print, a new branch of study called MNP studies is emerging which entails the study of microplastics and nanoplastics that are together known as MNPs. The study on microplastics in the current age can be regarded as early literature that will form the basis of higher-order studies that will help in gauging the effects of MNPs.
Ravi Agarwal added, “We also aim to trigger policy action and attract researchers’ attention to potential technological interventions that could reduce exposure risks to microplastics.”
Read More: Why Checking The Expiry Date On Your Food Items Is Useless
What Are The Consequences of Consumption?
The Indian Express reports Dr Narendra Singhla from CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, who explains the health dangers of consuming microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles that can enter our bodies through what we eat and drink.
One of the main issues with microplastics is that they can cause inflammation and stress in our body’s tissues. When these particles get into our system, they trigger the immune system, leading to inflammation. If this happens repeatedly, it can damage cells and tissues over time, potentially leading to long-term health problems.
Another concern is that constant exposure to microplastics can weaken the immune system. Because the body is always trying to fight off these tiny particles, the immune system becomes less effective, making us more likely to get sick or develop infections.
Long-term exposure to microplastics is also linked to serious diseases like cancer, reproductive problems, and issues with the nervous system. These particles can disrupt hormone balance, interfere with how cells work, and even affect our genes, increasing the risk of chronic health conditions.
Microplastics can also cause digestive issues. Eating foods that contain these particles may lead to symptoms like bloating, discomfort, and irregular bowel movements as the body tries to eliminate the foreign particles.
According to Times Of India, another risk is that microplastics often carry toxic chemicals, such as BPA and heavy metals, which can enter the body and cause further harm. These chemicals can disrupt hormones, affect reproductive health, and lead to other serious health issues.
Ingesting microplastics may also disturb the balance of good bacteria in our gut, which is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune health. This imbalance can lead to further digestive and health problems.
Lastly, microplastics can build up in our organs over time, leading to potential long-term health issues due to the accumulation of these particles in the body.
The findings of this study are a stark reminder of the widespread contamination of our basic food ingredients with microplastics, an issue that has far-reaching implications for both human health and the environment. As microplastics infiltrate every corner of our diet, from salt to sugar, the potential for chronic health conditions, immune system suppression, and toxic exposure increases significantly.
This growing body of research underscores the urgent need for policy interventions, technological innovations, and increased public awareness to mitigate the risks posed by microplastics. Addressing this pervasive contamination is not just a scientific challenge but a critical public health imperative that demands immediate attention and action.
Image Credits: Google Images
Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: The Print, The Indian Express, Times of India
This post is tagged under: Microplastics, salt, sugar, Indian salt, Indian sugar, Health Risks, Food Safety, Environmental Impact, Plastic Pollution, Public Health, Toxic Chemicals, Sustainable Living, Microplastics In Food, Eco Friendly, Clean Environment, Healthy Living, Plastic Free , Consumer Awareness, Global Health, Green Initiative, Save The Planet, Food Contamination, Environmental Awareness
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, or copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.
Other Recommendations:
How And Why Nestle Sells Unhealthy Variation Of Popular Infant Products In India, Not In West
