Microplastics found in salt and sugar brands

There could be more in your salt and sugar than meets your eye. 👀

Transcript

00:00There could be plastic in the salt and sugar you use at home.

00:03It found that microplastics were present in all types of salt and sugar samples in the

00:08form of fibres, pellets and pieces of films ranging in size from 0.1 mm to 5 mm.

00:15Iodine-rich salt was found to have most amount of microplastics.

00:21Several salt and sugar brands in India have been found to contain microplastics.

00:26An organization called Toxics Link conducted a study by sampling various brands of salt

00:31and sugar available in the market and found microplastic particles present in them.

00:36Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm are known as microplastics.

00:40They took 10 types of salt such as table salt, rock salt, sea salt and local raw salt which

00:46were purchased both online and from local markets.

00:49It found that microplastics were present in all types of salt and sugar samples in the

00:53form of fibres, pellets and pieces of films ranging in size from 0.1 mm to 5 mm.

01:03Iodine-rich salt was found to have most amount of microplastics.

01:06The study says that iodized salt goes through more processing than raw or rock salt.

01:11Along the way, it comes into contact with many types of machines and equipment, increasing

01:16the chances of picking up microplastics.

01:19Apart from this, the environment where iodized salt is made already has more plastic particles

01:24which makes it even more likely for them to mix into the salt.

01:27The smaller the plastic particles, the greater is the possibility of them reaching our body.

01:32Generally, these microparticles of plastic enter the body by swallowing like with food

01:37items and by breathing.

01:39Different studies have found that microplastics can harm the body.

01:42Scientists say that consuming a lot of microplastics can raise your risk of allergies, thyroid

01:48issues and even cancer.

01:50If ingested, microplastics can harm our cells and that can reduce the body's immunity

01:55and can also cause neurological disorders.

01:58Apart from this, microplastics can disturb the intestinal microbiota.

02:03They can impair digestion and immunity.

02:05If the intestines are not healthy, then they not only affect the brain but also the liver

02:10and many other tissues.

02:12Given that microplastics can affect the gut, prolonged exposure to them can have widespread

02:17effects on the entire body.

02:19In a study published in the journal Environment International, the presence of microplastics

02:24was also detected in the placenta or umbilical cord of unborn babies.

02:28FSS-AI or Food Safety and Standards Authority of India expressed concern over microplastics

02:34being found in food items.

02:36It recognized that microplastic pollution is an emerging threat that needs immediate

02:41attention.

02:42The objective of a scheme launched by FSS-AI is to develop a protocol regarding microplastics.

02:48The body said more robust data will be needed to fully understand the impact of microplastics

02:53on health.