Story at-a-glance
- Chewing a single piece of gum can release up to 3,000 microplastic particles into your mouth within minutes, with most released in the first 60 seconds
- Both synthetic and "natural" chewing gums release similar amounts of plastic particles, which include types used in packaging and automotive parts
- Regular gum chewers may ingest around 30,000 plastic particles annually, adding to microplastic exposure from other sources like food packaging and bottled water
- Most consumers are unaware that "gum base" contains oil-based synthetic rubbers similar to those used in car tires and plastic bags
- Discarded gum doesn't biodegrade but persists as environmental plastic pollution for decades, making it both a health and environmental concern
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