Microplastic Contamination in Table Salt Brands Marketed in Supermarkets Across Abuja and Its Pharmaceutical Significance

Microplastic contamination of food products has emerged as a significant environmental and public health concern globally. Table salt, produced by evaporation of sea or lake water, is increasingly recognised as a vehicle for microplastic ingestion. In Nigeria, where salt is a universal dietary condiment, and where pharmaceutical-grade sodium chloride is derived from food-grade sources, characterising microplastic contamination in commercial table salt has both nutritional and pharmaceutical implications. This study characterised microplastic contamination in eight table salt brands sold in supermarkets across Abuja. Microplastics were isolated by dissolution, vacuum filtration, and hydrogen peroxide digestion of organic matter. Particles were counted and classified by size and morphology using stereomicroscopy. Polymer identification was performed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with ATR accessory. Microplastics were detected in all eight salt brands, with concentrations ranging from 22 to 146 particles per kilogram. Fibres were the most prevalent morphological type across all brands. FTIR identified polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon as the dominant polymer types. Sea salt-derived brands showed higher microplastic loads than rock salt brands. The pharmaceutical significance of these findings relates to the potential microplastic burden in sodium chloride used in parenteral formulation preparation if food-grade rather than pharmaceutical-grade salt is used. The study recommends mandatory microplastic monitoring in food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade sodium chloride and public awareness of dietary microplastic exposure. Keywords: microplastics, table salt, FTIR, Abuja, pharmaceutical grade.