Microplastic contamination in table salt sold in the selected local markets in Samar, Philippines

Studies of microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment are becoming more and more popular. Food safety and human consumption are affected by aquatic life ingesting plastic and by its presence in sediments and water bodies. Although table salt is widely used throughout the world, its extraction from saltwater has a very high potential for contamination with MP in places like the Philippines. Therefore, this study investigated the occurrence of MPs in table salts from the local markets in Samar, Philippines. The results confirmed the presence of several MPs. It was found that the highest count was at 36 MPC/250 g. Overall, microplastics comprised pellet-shaped (29.61%), fragment (25%), and foamed plastic (6.43%). About 66.67% of sampled locations were mainly composed of microplastics with sizes 500 – 1000 μm while 33.33% were mostly composed of plastics of 200 – 500 μm. Using density separation techniques, the samples have the presence of 88.89% (polyamide), and 77.78% (polyvinyl chloride/polyethylene terephthalate). In addition, polyethylene and polystyrene/high-density polyethylene was found equally in 66.67% of the samples. The widespread usage of these plastics and their incorrect disposal in marine environments have been blamed for the introduction of microplastics into the ecosystem. With the difficulty in detecting these materials because of their size, their entry into marine-based food products can become inevitable.