Gum released an average of 100 microplastics per gram (g). Gum is usually between 2 and 6 g. For example, one piece of Extra brand gum weighs 2.5 g.

The research team estimated that if the average person chews between 160 and 180 small sticks of gum per year, they could ingest around 30,000 microplastics annually.

Study Subject Chewed Each Piece of Gum for 4 or 20 Minutes. To find out more about microplastics and chewing gum, scientists analyzed 10 popular chewing gum brands, five natural and five synthetic.

If the average person chews 160 to 180 small sticks of gum per year, the researchers estimated that could result in the ingestion of around 30,000 microplastics.

A stick of gum is a relatively small source of microplastics, but a chewing habit could add up. Microplastics are flowing out of gum as you chew it, preliminary results of a new study suggest.

Chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny plastic pieces straight into people's mouths, researchers said on Tuesday, also warning of the pollution created by the rubber-based sweet.

A mouthful of chewing gum might also be a mouthful of microplastics, according to the results of a small pilot study.The research, presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society, ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Lea este comunicado de prensa en español. SAN DIEGO, March 25, 2025 — Plastic is everywhere. And many products we use in everyday life, such as cutting boards, clothes and ...