Plastic materials are ubiquitous in modern society, and everyday products such as cutting boards, clothing, and cleaning sponges can expose individuals to microplastics, which are plastic particles with micrometer-scale dimensions.
Recent research indicates that chewing gum may also be a source of microplastic exposure. In a pilot study, investigators identified the release of hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece of gum into saliva, raising concerns about potential ingestion. Chewing gum is composed of a rubbery base, sweeteners, flavorings, and various additives.
Natural gum products utilize plant-based polymers, such as chicle or tree sap, to achieve suitable texture, while synthetic variants employ petroleum-derived polymer bases. Contrary to initial expectations, both synthetic and natural chewing gums were found to release comparable quantities of microplastics and contained similar polymer types, including polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylamides, and polystyrene.
Polyolefins—such as polyethylene and polypropylene—were the most prevalent polymers detected in both categories of gum.
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