Gum base is made from a combination of waxes, resin, and elastomers. The elasticity and stretch that come from the gum base ...

Microplastic release from gum occurs primarily within the first two minutes of chewing due to the abrasive action, not enzymatic breakdown. By eight minutes, 94% of the microplastics are released.

Researchers at UCLA found that chewing gum – even gum labeled "natural" – can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested.

Q: Mint gum is the only thing that gets me through the workday. Is all that chewing bad for my health? If you’re a regular gum chewer, you’re in good company.

A person chewing 160 to 180 pieces of gum a year, they said, could potentially be ingesting 30,000 microplastics. And while the effect of ingested microplastics on human health still isn’t clear, ...