This new study comes on the heels of recent research showing that chewing gum can leach hundreds, and even thousands, of microplastics into a person’s saliva. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, recently tested ten well-known brands of chewing gum. They ran out five of the natural ones and five synthetics that are currently U.S.-registered. This groundbreaking research is extremely concerning as it is exposing microplastic exposure resulting from a commonly used product.
The researchers calculated that each individual piece of synthetic gum releases approximately 104 microplastics. Natural gum releases about 96 microplastics. The exposure from chewing gum is quite small compared to other sources, such as from tea bags. For frequent realizers, the long-term impact would be high.
If an individual chews 160 to 180 pieces of gum annually, they could theoretically ingest around 30,000 microplastics each year. The research demonstrates a new and growing collective alarm over the possible health effects from all of the microplastics we consume through everyday products.
Research Findings on Microplastics
The research team collected saliva samples at various intervals during the study to analyze the quantity of microplastics released from gum. At the start of the experiment each participant rinsed their mouths three to five times with deionized water. Completing this step provided baseline data for the occurrence of microplastics.
In fact, microplastics were mostly released within the first few minutes of chewing. In reality, 94% of these microplastics appeared during the first eight minutes. One stick of gum, about two to six grams, might be able to leach out upwards of 637 microplastics. This immediate release suggests that individuals might minimize their exposure by sticking with one piece of gum rather than frequently switching to new sticks.
Synthetic gums are widely reported to degrade after about three years. Natural gums—mostly made of plant materials—contain a polymer that we call polyolefins. This compound represented as much as 50% of the detected particles throughout the study.
Implications for Health and Consumption
Scientists are clear that chewing gum does make us all victims of plastic in microform. They point out that the total is small in relation to other anytime sources. Sanjay Mohanty, PhD, the principal investigator for the study, stated:
“The amount of microplastics exposed by chewing gum is still very small compared to, say, tea bags.”
Health experts warn that cutting back on gum could be a good idea. Lisa Patel, MD, a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Stanford Medicine, remarked:
“Reducing gum consumption would be a good idea.”
There is an increasing understanding regarding the need to monitor plastic exposure from all sources. Commonplace items, like chewing gum, have recently become players in this discussion.
Recommendations and Future Research
In light of these results, researchers urge consumers to change how they chew gum. Greater and more frequent dependence on gum might increase overall lifetime microplastic exposure. Polyolefins—polyethylene and polypropylene—are the most widely used flexible food packaging materials. Their potential presence in natural gums also complicates what we know about the risks associated with microplastic exposure.
Patel emphasized the necessity for society to minimize plastic use across all sectors:
“The sooner we minimize our plastics use—keeping it only to the uses where we really don’t have good alternatives—the better off we’ll all be.”
This view is part of a larger trend toward decreasing plastic waste and finding sustainable materials to replace plastic in products we use every day.
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