Microplastics are the latest hidden hazard worry for the world -- they've even been found in chewing gum. UCLA researchers have found that every time we chew gum, microplastics are released directly into our mouths. In addition to that, a new study published in Chemistry for Life tested 10 chewing gum brands and found every single one contained microplastics. This was found to be the case with both natural and synthetic varieties. A gram of gum releases around 100 microplastics on average, with some pieces spiking as high as 600.
With something as common as chewing gum becoming a delivery mechanism for microplastics, the concerns about unknowingly consuming microplastics are only rising. The average person takes in between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles each year just from food and drink according to past research. This figure climbs to over 120,000 if you include airborne particles.
To better understand how this could affect your health, we talked with a family physician. We discussed what is considered a "safe" level of microplastic intake, which foods are the worst in terms of microplastic content and what steps you can take right now to reduce your exposure.
Read more: Microplastics Are Hiding in Your Kitchen. Here's How to Spot Them
How many microplastics are too many?
"There is no officially established 'safe' or 'unsafe' level of microplastic intake. It makes sense to want your exposure to be as low as possible," Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family medicine osteopathic physician, said in an email.
Microplastics can enter our food due to contamination where the food was grown, raised or processed. Mercola explained that using plastic mulch and plastic seed coatings in agriculture, and irrigation with contaminated water, are among the various ways microplastics can end up in food. Plastic packaging, utensils and containers are additional sources.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, current evidence doesn't suggest that the levels of microplastics in food are a risk to us. However, you still might want to minimize how much microplastics you passively consume. These are the most common foods that contain microplastics, and the measures you can adopt to reduce your plastic intake.
Top 10 foods in your diet that contain microplastics
Seafood
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