The researchers discover that chewing gum makes thousands of accurate plastic to our saliva

In the past two years only, scientists have found Mache plastic in annoying placesfrom Under ice in the Arctic to Human bloodand TesticlesAnd even Brains. In fact, the plastic is so large that it contains It raised a new geological era. Now, the researchers added chewing gum to the list of increased products that expose humans to accurate plastic.

A team of researchers revealed that chewing one stick of the gums can be released hundreds of thousands of accurate plastic in our saliva – which means that it is likely to be eaten. Researchers The experimental study presented At the Spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) on Tuesday.

“Our goal is not to warn anyone,” said Los Angeles, who participated in the research. statement. “Scientists do not know whether or not microblighs are not safe for us. While more research is needed, it is worth noting that previous studies have already conducted. Those associated with strict plastic with health complications.

Scientists have estimated this from People swallow at least 50,000 small majesty per year. Looking at this evaluation, Mohante and his colleagues decided to investigate the exact amount of plastic that is issued by chewing gum. Test 10 trademarks available commercially: five artificial gums and five natural gums. To avoid having to think about different saliva and chewing patterns, the team had one participant who chewed seven pieces of each brand.

“Our initial hypothesis was that the artificial gums will have a lot of fine plastic because the base is a type of plastic,” explained by Lisa Louie, a graduate student at the Mohante Laboratory who participated in the research.

While the participant chewed each piece of gum, the researchers took samples of saliva at different time periods. Then they measured the exact amount of plastic in the samples, either by staining the molecules in red and calculating them with a microscope, or by technology called the infrared spectrum analysis that can determine Furieh and that can determine the ingredients inside the mixture.

Ultimately, the team found that chewing gum released an average of 100 small majesty per gram of the gums, and that 94 % of the totally documented plastic documented in the study was released during the first eight minutes of chewing. The launch of accurate plastic is the result of the abrasive mechanics of chewing, which separates from the molecules of the gums, rather than shattering them from saliva.

“It is surprising that both artificial and natural gums had similar quantities of fine plastic that were launched when we chewed,” Louis said.Plastic is a type of polymer).

Some sticks of the gums that released up to 600 microplastic players per gram. At an estimate of 160 to 180 sticks per year – though sources Put this number closer to 300 – a person can swallow about 30,000 small players annually than the gums alone. Since the researchers’ tools restricted them to discovering accurate plastic 20 micrometers or larger, the smaller particles may make this number higher.

Moreover, “The plastic that was launched in saliva is a small part of the plastic in the gums,” Mohante, which means that once this is finished, it can still contribute to environmental plastic pollution. “So, be aware of the environment and do not only throw it abroad or stick it to the gum wall.”