Phthalates, a type of chemical used to make plastic flexible, have been shown

to increase the growth of breast cancer cells. However, this research was
carried out in a petri dish, so the results can’t be generalized to humans (18).

A recent study examined the effects of microplastics in laboratory mice.

When fed to mice, the microplastics accumulated in the liver, kidneys and
intestines, and increased levels of oxidative stress molecules in the liver. They
also increased the level of a molecule that may be toxic to the brain .

Some evidence has shown that BPA can interfere with reproductive
hormones, especially in women. ( Ruairi Robertson, PhD. May 9, 2018)

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/microplastics#health-effects

To determine if there are live bacteria in sea salt, Ben bought seven different types of
minimally processed sea salts and took them to the lab for testing. The salts included French
Grey Sea Salt, Celtic Sea Salt, Bob’s Red Mill Sea Salt, DeLallo Sea Salt, Maine Sea Salt,
Amagansett Sea Salt, and Wellfleet Sea Salt. He used basic microbiology techniques to plate
out the samples onto Petri dishes with ideal microbe food.

Most of these bacteria are Proteobacteria, a group of bacteria that are commonly
found in the oceans. All of these sea salt bacteria Ben isolated are halophilic, meaning they
love and can tolerate high concentrations of salt. There are some pretty nasty bugs in this
category of bacteria (including the bacterium that causes cholera) (Jones, S., Wolfe, B. Dec.
23, 2013)
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2013/12/23/chefology-bacteria-sea-salt/

Lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic are the most important heavy metals
which may cause health risks following consumption of contaminated foods.
Table salt is one the mostly used food additive with unique place in food
consumption.
health hazard from contamination of foods with other toxins including fungal
toxins and heavy metals could also create acute poisoning as well as long-term
health problems.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3862059/
Mercury poisoning is the result of being exposed to too much
mercury, either through the diet or environment. Mercury is a
heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans. (Johnson, J. Jan.
9, 2018)
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320563.php

To limit the possibility of food poisoning by trace elements,

the highest allowable concentrations of them are determined
(3).Human may expose to heavy metals through inhalation
and dermal contact; however, contaminated food and drink
are the major exposure path in most people.

Several researchers reported the presence of trace elements in the salt (2, 5-9). Lead is one of the
most toxic heavy metals that accumulates in the body and data published in literature indicates that
its excessive intake harm different systems and organs such as central and peripheral nervous
system, gastrointestinal tract, muscles, kidneys, and hematopoietic system (13). The maximum
permitted level of lead in food-grade salt is 2.0 μg/g according to the Codex legislation (14)and 1.0
μg/g according to the Iranian food standards (10) In our study, Pb content of table and bakery
refined salt samples were 0.852 μg/g and 1.22μg/g respectively, which is between Codex and the
Iranian code. In another report from Iran, Pb concentration was 2.728μg/g (range 0.01-5.8μg/g) and
in salt samples from Tehran, lead content was 0.87 μg/g (4) and 0.438 μg/g (2). Pourgheysari et al.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282973766_Determination_of_Heavy_Metal_Levels_in_
Edible_Salt