Chewing Gum Identified as Significant Source of Microplastics in Human Saliva

UCLA researchers reveal that chewing gum releases hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles, with environmental and health implications still under investigation.

• A UCLA study presented at the American Chemical Society's spring meeting found that chewing gum releases hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into saliva, which are likely ingested.
• Both synthetic and natural gums release similar amounts of microplastics, challenging assumptions about their composition.
• Most microplastics are released within the first two minutes of chewing, with 94% released by eight minutes, according to the study's findings.
• Frequent gum chewers could ingest tens of thousands of microplastic particles annually, though the health effects of such exposure remain unclear.
• Discarded chewing gum contributes to environmental plastic pollution, adding to the broader issue of microplastic contamination.

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