Food
Low burden — Chewing Gum (Microplastics) is a relatively low-burden choice.
Conventional gum made with a synthetic polymer base.
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.
A Detox Score of 65 places chewing gum (microplastics) in the Low band. None of the three drivers is severe, which keeps the burden manageable. 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.
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.
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.