Globally, it is clear that microplastics in salt is a major concern to human health. As noted in the previous newsletter, microplastics are tiny particles of plastic debris that leach chemicals into the water and pose serious health risks to birds, marine life, and humans. Choosing a salt is becoming increasingly challenging.
I love the idea of sea salts for their natural abundance of minerals. Sad to say, however, that sea salt has become a source of microplastics. Himalayan salt does indeed contain fewer microplastics, but still not entirely devoid of them. Redmond salt, which comes from ancient, unpolluted sea beds, may be another option. And on the rise is purple bamboo salt, which may remove impurities during the heating process. This is a sea salt that has been roasted in a clay-lined bamboo case at very high temperatures.
To date, numerous studies establish exposure simply based on microplastic abundance in salt and daily recommended salt intake or annual salt consumption or of a range of different food products. This study included 39 different salt brands produced at geospatially different sites, including 28 sea salt brands from 16 countries/regions on six continents, were investigated. A wide range of microplastic content was found: 0–1674 microplastics/kg in sea salts, 0–148 microplastics/kg in rock salt, and 28–462 microplastics/kg in lake salt. It has been suggested that microplastic contamination load in sea salts is correlated to contamination of surrounding sea water. Relatively high microplastic content was identified in sea salts produced in Asian countries/regions. Despite the Mediterranean being considered one of the global hotspots for microplastic contamination, less microplastics were found in Mediterranean sea salts compared to salts harvested from European shores outside the Mediterranean basin and north of 45°N.
Traditionally harvested salts contained fewer microplastics than most industrially harvested ones. While sea salts may be more contaminated with microplastics than other salts, researchers suggest that microplastics < 100 µm are more prevalent in lake and rock/well salts than in sea salts. From a human perspective, microplastics < 150 µm are likely of exposure concern due to their potential to translocate from the digestive tract into the body. Despite this potential, it is unlikely that all microplastics, even small ones, are absorbed.
Heavy Metals in Salt
Add insult to injury. This study reported all salt products had detectable amount of the various metals. On the positive side, no salt contained high enough levels that required a California Proposition 65 warning based on daily serving size.
Aluminum was found in 78% of the salt products. 35% of salt products had over 100,000 parts per billion (ppb) of aluminum.
Arsenic was found in 100% of salt products. 74% of salt products had over 10 ppb of arsenic.
Cadmium was found in 70% of salt products. 4% of salt products had over 4.1 ppb of cadmium.
Mercury was NOT found in any salt products.
Lead was found in 96% of salt products.
Microplastics were so minute they could not be conclusively detected and recognized via Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopic imaging for any sample.
Is Himalayan salt clean?
The short answer is yes. Himalayan salt is a natural product containing trace minerals that are also present in our bodies. The salt is mined by hand by skilled workers using traditional methods, so there's little to no pollution or waste byproducts from manufacturing. The observed rise in microplastic contamination in the mined salt, however, is likely due to the addition of airborne microplastics during the processing and packaging of salts.
What about table salt?
Although it is far from pure, table salt is as close to 100% sodium chloride as you can get. Table salt is mined using explosives; this is a ‘cheap’ method, but when you blow something up, naturally, less desirable compounds are left behind. Table salt is then chemically bleached, hence, the very white color. This bleaching process, unfortunately, removes minerals, such as potassium and magnesium. Additionally, manufacturers blend in anti-caking agents to keep the salt from clumping; while some agents are safer, others contain aluminum or cyanide compounds. And believe it or not, some commercial brands of table salt add dextrose as well, so you can get some sugar with your salt. In this study of 21 table salt brands, each contained microplastics – this may be due to the manufacturing process, storage, transportation, and/or packaging materials.
Bottom Line
As noted in my previous newsletter, the full health impact of microplastics is unknown, but pretty confident that I don’t think we’ll find them protective. The most suitable extraction method for microplastics from salts has not been established yet. At this time, I think it’s best to simply do your best in opting for at least a relatively clean salt. Use and buy wisely. In my research, I did find these plastic-free mineral salts - Only Salt and Vera Salt as well as this clean lake salt and this mined salt from an ancient seabed in Utah. And while on a work trip to Alaska, I found Prince William Sound Salt Co with many salt varieties that are all clean and free of microplastics. Do you have a salt that you like and recommend? Please share.
Not the most uplifting of topics, but wise to be aware.
In Health,
Natalie