Study Finds Chewing Gum Releases Microplastics into Mouths

ISLAMABAD: A new study has revealed that chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny microplastic particles directly into the mouth, contributing to the growing concerns over plastic pollution. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), highlights an unexamined source of microplastics entering the human body.

The study, led by Professor Sanjay Mohanty, found that a single gram of gum can release an average of 100 microplastic particles, with some brands shedding more than 600 pieces. Researchers analyzed the saliva of PhD student Lisa Lowe after she chewed seven pieces of gum from ten different brands. The results suggest that individuals could be ingesting up to 30,000 microplastic particles annually if they chew around 180 pieces of gum.

While the study does not provide direct evidence linking microplastics to harmful health effects, it adds to the growing body of research on microplastic pollution. The findings draw attention to a previously overlooked source of microplastic ingestion, especially considering that microplastics are already prevalent in environments ranging from oceans to mountaintops.

The study included both synthetic and natural gums, with microplastics found in both types. Synthetic gum is typically made with petroleum-based polymers, but natural gums, which use plant-based polymers, also released microplastic particles, primarily within the first eight minutes of chewing.

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Researchers also pointed out the environmental implications of chewing gum, particularly when discarded improperly, as gum becomes a significant source of plastic pollution when spat onto sidewalks.

The study, which was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego, has been submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Despite the alarming findings, no comments were received from Wrigley, the world’s largest chewing gum manufacturer, when approached for a statement.