Chewing Gum (Microplastics)
Low burden — Chewing Gum (Microplastics) is a relatively low-burden choice.
Conventional gum made with a synthetic polymer base.
The breakdown
Each driver rated 0 (none) to 10 (worst)
Evidence strength: emerging · Detox Score = 100 − hazard×4.6 − exposure×3.4 − persistence×2.6, clamped 1–100.
What this means for you
A Detox Score of 65 places chewing gum (microplastics) in the Low band. The 'gum base' in most conventional chewing gum is synthetic rubber — essentially plastic. A 2025 laboratory study reported that chewing a single piece can release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into saliva. Natural chicle gum avoids the synthetic base.
Frequently asked questions
Is chewing gum (microplastics) a toxic exposure?
Chewing Gum (Microplastics) has a Detox Score of 65 out of 100 (Low burden), which means it is a relatively low-burden choice. The 'gum base' in most conventional chewing gum is synthetic rubber — essentially plastic. A 2025 laboratory study reported that chewing a single piece can release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into saliva. Natural chicle gum avoids the synthetic base.
What is a safer alternative to chewing gum (microplastics)?
A lower-exposure swap for chewing gum (microplastics) is: Natural chicle-based gum, or skip gum. The 'gum base' in most conventional chewing gum is synthetic rubber — essentially plastic. A 2025 laboratory study reported that chewing a single piece can release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into saliva. Natural chicle gum avoids the synthetic base.