Chewing Gum are an invisible health risk since chewing them could contribute to the ingestion of thousands of microplastic particles
The microplasticstiny plastic fragments present in the environment, are now everywhere: in the oceans, in the food that we consume and even inside our body. Although the effects on human health are still 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 gesture such as chew a tire could contribute toIngestion of thousands of microplastic particles. The results of the research will be presented at the Spring Meeting of the American Chemical Society.
The link between chewing gum and microplastics
Chewing tires are composed of one rubbery base, sweeteners, aromas and other additives. Some contain polymers of vegetable origin, such as the chicle, extracted from the sap of some trees, while many others use synthetic polymers derivatives from oil. To understand the potential release of microplastics, the researchers analyzed Ten different types of tiresfive of synthetic origin and five natural, available on the market.
The experiment involved a volunteer who chewed Seven pieces of each brand of Chewing Gum in the laboratory. During the test, the saliva was collected every 30 seconds for a total of 4 minutes in a first experiment, while a second test has a duration of 20 minutes to monitor the prolonged release of microplastics.
The results of the analysis
Using advanced methods of analysis, including the particles coloring For observation under a microscope and infrared spectroscopy to identify the composition of the polymers, the researchers detected one significant presence of microplastics in saliva samples.
The average quantity measured was approximately 100 microplastics per gram of rubberbut some tires have released Up to 600 particles per gram. Considering that a single Chewing Gum weighs between 2 and 6 grams, a person could ingest up to 3,000 microplastics only with a piece. If you take into account the average annual consumption of Chewing Gum, which varies between 160 and 180 pieces, the total of the ingested microplastics could reach the 30,000 units per year. Numbers that can only raise questions about the possible consequences for human health.
