Researchers Find that Chewing Gum Releases Microplastics Into the Mouth
Researchers reported on Tuesday that chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny plastic particles directly into the mouth, while also highlighting the environmental pollution caused by the rubber-based treat.
This small study comes amid growing evidence of microplastics—tiny plastic fragments—being found across the planet, from mountain peaks to ocean depths, and even in the air we breathe.
Scientists have also detected microplastics throughout the human body, including in the lungs, blood, and brain, raising concerns about potential health risks.
No Direct Evidence of Harm, but Concerns Remain, Says Lead Researcher
“I don’t want to alarm people,” said Sanjay Mohanty, the lead researcher from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in an interview with AFP. He noted that no direct evidence currently links microplastics to harmful effects on human health.
Instead, this pilot study aimed to highlight an overlooked way these nearly invisible plastic particles enter the body—through chewing gum.
As part of the research, Lisa Lowe, a UCLA Ph.D. student, chewed seven pieces from each of 10 different gum brands. A chemical analysis of her saliva revealed that a single gram of gum (0.04 ounces) released an average of 100 microplastic fragments, with some brands shedding over 600. Given that a typical stick of gum weighs about 1.5 grams, frequent gum chewers—consuming around 180 pieces a year—could be ingesting approximately 30,000 microplastic particles.
However, Mohanty emphasized that this exposure is relatively minor compared to other sources. For instance, a study last year estimated that a liter (34 fluid ounces) of bottled water contains an average of 240,000 microplastic particles.
Most chewing gum sold in supermarkets falls under the category of synthetic gum, which relies on petroleum-based polymers to create its chewy texture, researchers explained.
However, packaging does not explicitly list plastics among the ingredients, instead using the vague term “gum-based.”
“Nobody will tell you the ingredients,” said lead researcher Sanjay Mohanty.
The study analyzed five brands of synthetic gum and five of natural gum, which uses plant-derived polymers like tree sap.
“It was surprising to find that microplastics were abundant in both,” said Lisa Lowe, a UCLA Ph.D. student involved in the research. She noted that nearly all microplastics were released within the first eight minutes of chewing.
Call for Greater Transparency in Chewing Gum Ingredients
David Jones, a researcher at the University of Portsmouth who was not involved in the study, told AFP that manufacturers should be required to disclose specific ingredients rather than using the generic term “gum-based.”
Jones found it interesting that the researchers detected certain plastics not typically associated with gum, suggesting they might have come from another source. However, he said the overall findings were “not at all surprising.”
People tend to “freak out a little bit” when they learn that the base ingredients of chewing gum are similar to those found in car tires, plastic bags, and bottles, Jones added.
Beyond potential ingestion, Lowe also raised concerns about environmental pollution, especially when gum is discarded on sidewalks.
The study, which has been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal but is not yet published, was presented at an American Chemical Society meeting in San Diego.
Wrigley, the world’s largest chewing gum manufacturer, did not respond to AFP’s request for comment.
Read the original article on: Medical X Press
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