Rebecca Manzi Chewing gum is an invisible health risk as chewing it could contribute to the ingestion of thousands of microplastic particles
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Microplastics, tiny plastic fragments found throughout the environment, are now ubiquitous: in the oceans, in the food we eat, and even within our bodies. Although the full effects on human health remain unclear, it is known that plastic can contain potentially toxic chemicals.
A recent study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, has revealed that even a common act like chewing gum could contribute to the ingestion of thousands of microplastic particles. The study’s findings will be presented at the American Chemical Society’s spring meeting.
The link between chewing gum and microplastics
Chewing gums are made from a gum base, sweeteners, flavors, and other additives. Some contain plant-derived polymers like chicle, which is extracted from the sap of certain trees, while many others use synthetic polymers derived from petroleum. To understand the potential release of microplastics, researchers analyzed ten different types of gum, five synthetic and five natural, available on the market.
The experiment involved a volunteer chewing seven pieces of each gum brand in the laboratory. During the test, saliva was collected every 30 seconds for a total of 4 minutes in one experiment, while a second test monitored the prolonged release of microplastics for a duration of 20 minutes.
The analysis results
Using advanced analytical methods, including particle staining for microscopic observation and infrared spectroscopy to identify the polymer composition, researchers detected a significant presence of microplastics in the saliva samples.
The average amount measured was around 100 microplastics per gram of gum, but some gums released up to 600 particles per gram. Considering that a single piece of chewing gum weighs between 0.07 and 0.21 ounces, a person could ingest up to 3,000 microplastics with just one piece. When factoring in the average annual consumption of chewing gum, which ranges between 160 and 180 pieces, the total number of microplastics ingested could reach 30,000 per year. These numbers raise serious concerns about the potential consequences for human health.
Source: American Chemical Society
