Heavy metals in sea salt, seawater source, and iodized salt locally found in Iloilo, Philippines

Abstract

Eating food contaminated with heavy metals could lead to poisoning, long-term health problem, and even death. One common substance needed for food preparation is salt. Salt can be mined as rock salt or harvested in the sea by evaporating the seawater. Salt can contain heavy metals. This study aimed to determine quantitatively the cadmium, manganese, lead, and copper content of sea salt, seawater source, and iodized salt. The sea salt and seawater samples were taken from four locations in Iloilo which have the salt industry. Iodized salt samples were purchased locally from different grocery stores located in the city of Iloilo. The cadmium content was beyond the allowable limits in both sea salt, seawater source, and iodized salt set by DENR, CODEX, and WHO. Manganese in sea salt exceeded the allowable limits. Lead exceeded the allowable levels in sea salt and some in seawater sources while lead was not detected in iodized salt. Copper was above the allowable limits in seawater source and only on Site C sea salt sample while the iodized salt did not exceed the limits for copper set by DENR, CODEX, and WHO.