This is unexpected.
The gum you’re chewing may not only be minty fresh but could also contain tiny bits of plastic, according to a new study. Researchers found that chewing just one piece of gum could release hundreds to thousands of microplastics into your saliva, highlighting a potential source of plastic exposure many may overlook. This small pilot study, currently under peer review, was presented at the American Chemical Society meeting in San Diego. While the findings are preliminary, the study aims to bring attention to this issue rather than cause alarm.
Microplastics, which are particles smaller than five millimeters, can enter the body through food or air and have been found in various organs, including the lungs and placenta. Many food items are contaminated during processing and packaging, but gum is unique because its base often contains actual plastic polymers. This study is thought to be the first to specifically examine and compare the presence of microplastics in commercially available chewing gum.
Researchers tested ten popular gum brands, half made with synthetic materials and the other half with natural ingredients. Each gum was chewed for about four minutes while saliva samples were collected and analyzed for microplastics. The results showed that chewing just one gram of gum released an average of 100 microplastic particles, with one brand releasing up to 637 particles per gram. Interestingly, both natural and synthetic gums produced similar amounts of microplastics.
The types of plastic found in the gum were materials commonly used in everyday consumer products and packaging. Environmental experts noted that microplastics are released whenever plastic is subjected to stress, such as chewing, and that people may unknowingly consume around 250,000 plastic particles each year. This study provides important data on plastic exposure through gum and sets the stage for further research on its potential effects. Despite the findings, the National Confectioners Association emphasized that gum has been safely enjoyed for over a century.
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