Researchers have revealed that chewing gum could be contributing to the growing microplastic pollution problem, releasing hundreds of tiny plastic fragments directly into people’s mouths.
The findings, which come amid increasing awareness of microplastics in various environments, highlight a previously overlooked source of plastic ingestion.
The study, led by Sanjay Mohanty from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), is part of a broader investigation into the ways microplastics are entering human bodies. These particles, which are already found in the air, oceans, and even the food we eat, have also been detected inside human tissues, including the lungs, blood, and brains.
While Mohanty emphasized that there is no direct evidence showing that microplastics are harmful to human health, his research aimed to highlight yet another way these small plastic pieces make their way into the body through chewing gum.
For the study, UCLA PhD student Lisa Lowe chewed seven pieces from ten different brands of gum and then analyzed her saliva. The results were startling: a gram of gum (about 0.04 ounces) released an average of 100 microplastic fragments, with some brands shedding over 600. This means that a person chewing around 180 pieces of gum a year could be ingesting roughly 30,000 microplastics.
While these numbers are concerning, they are relatively small compared to other sources of microplastic ingestion. For instance, a study last year found that a liter of bottled water contained an average of 240,000 microplastics.
Most chewing gum sold in supermarkets is synthetic, using petroleum-based polymers to achieve its chewy texture. However, packaging often does not specify the presence of plastics, listing ingredients simply as “gum-based.” The study tested both synthetic and natural gums, which use plant-based polymers such as tree sap, and found microplastics in both types, a surprising discovery. Most of the microplastic release occurred within the first eight minutes of chewing.
David Jones, a researcher from the University of Portsmouth in the UK, who was not involved in the study, said that manufacturers should be required to provide more specific ingredient information. He also expressed surprise at the presence of plastics not typically associated with gum, suggesting they could have come from external sources.
Jones noted that while the findings were not entirely unexpected, they raise concerns about the environmental impact of chewing gum. Many people are unaware that chewing gum ingredients share similarities with plastics found in car tires, plastic bags, and bottles. Lowe also pointed out the additional pollution caused when people discard chewed gum on sidewalks, contributing to plastic waste in public spaces.
The study has been submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, though it has not yet been officially published. The world’s largest chewing gum manufacturer, Wrigley, did not respond to requests for comment on the findings.
As awareness of microplastics continues to grow, this study adds to the mounting concern about the pervasive presence of plastic in our daily lives, with more attention needed on both the products we consume and the environmental footprint they leave behind.
