Sofia Martinez
Bubble gum is a popular treat enjoyed by many, but its plastic content has become a growing concern. While it is not pure plastic, most chewing gums contain polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic also used in glue, plastic bags, and bottles. This synthetic material replaced natural gum bases like sorva, jelutong, and beeswax after World War II. The presence of plastic in gum has raised questions about its environmental impact and potential health risks, with some consumers advocating for plastic-free alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredient | Gum base |
| Gum Base | Synthetic gum base materials, butadiene-based synthetic rubbers, polymers synthesized from petroleum by-products, polyvinyl acetate (plastic), polyethylene, latex, food-grade polymers, waxes, and softeners |
| Plastic Content | Polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic, is a key ingredient in most chewing gums. However, some plastic-free alternatives are available in the market, such as Glee Gum and Simply Gum. |
| Health Concerns | Polyvinyl acetate is manufactured using vinyl acetate, which has been linked to tumors in lab rats. Microplastics have also been associated with potential health risks for humans. |
| Environmental Impact | Chewing gum contributes to plastic pollution, with an estimated 100,000 tonnes of gum ending up as environmental waste each year. |
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What You'll Learn
Bubble gum is flavoured plastic
Chewing gum is essentially a flavoured plastic. It is made from synthetic rubber, called polyvinyl acetate, which is also used in glue, plastic bags, and bottles. This synthetic rubber is derived from petroleum by-products, similar to those used in car tyres.
The use of synthetic rubber in chewing gum is a relatively recent development, with natural latex derived from the sapodilla tree being used until World War II. After the war, chemists learned to make synthetic rubber, which replaced the natural latex in conventional gum. To mask the chemical, plasticky taste of the new synthetic gum base, manufacturers added sweeteners, flavourings, and softeners.
The plastic in chewing gum is a key concern for consumers, with 75% of British consumers supporting a ban on plastic in chewing gum. The plastic content of chewing gum has also been linked to environmental concerns, as it is a significant source of plastic pollution, with an estimated 100,000 tonnes of chewing gum ending up in the environment every year.
However, it is important to note that the plastic in chewing gum is food-grade, FDA-approved, and has undergone extensive testing to ensure its safety for human consumption. Nevertheless, some companies have started making plastic-free chewing gum using natural ingredients, such as chicle, calcium carbonate, candelilla wax, and citrus peels. These natural alternatives provide a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option for consumers.
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Polyvinyl acetate is a plastic
Polyvinyl acetate is a water-soluble synthetic polymer made by dissolving it in an alcohol such as methanol and treating it with an alkaline catalyst like sodium hydroxide. It is also known as PVA and is one of the most widely used water-dispersed adhesives. It is used in glass fibre-reinforced plastics to improve stress and anti-shrink properties, as well as in automobile headlights to enhance their gloss. PVA is also used in the construction of mobile homes to provide temporary bonds until the units are supported by foundations.
Polyvinyl acetate is used as an emulsion adhesive for bags, sacks, and cartons. It is also used in the lamination of foils and bookbinding. It is the basis for common household "white glue", such as Elmer's glue. Polyvinyl acetate is also used in frozen-food packaging where low-temperature flexibility is important.
Polyvinyl acetate is partially hydrolysed and then esterified with phthalic acid to form polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP). It can be internally plasticised by copolymerisation with flexibilising monomers such as fumarates, maleates, and acrylates. These copolymers can be further plasticised with various chemicals for specific adhesive or coating uses.
Overall, polyvinyl acetate is a versatile material used in a wide range of applications, from adhesives to packaging, construction, and automotive industries. Its unique properties, such as water solubility and strong adhesive strength, make it a valuable plastic in many sectors.
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Plastic-free gum alternatives
Chewing gum has been described as a lump of malleable plastic, with synthetic gum base materials that provide a consistent and safe base with a longer-lasting flavour, improved texture, and reduced tackiness. These synthetic gum bases include plastics like polyethylene and polyisobutylene, as well as petroleum and latex.
However, there are plastic-free alternatives available in the market. Glee Gum, for example, uses chicle, calcium carbonate, candelilla wax, and citrus peels. Simply Gum is another plastic-free option, which uses organic raw cane sugar, natural chicle base (chicle, candelilla wax, citric acid), natural peppermint oil, organic vegetable glycerin, and organic rice flour.
When looking for plastic-free gum alternatives, it is important to watch out for certain ingredients. Avoid synthetic gum bases and artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, such as aspartame, sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol. Instead, opt for plant-based sweeteners like stevia or cane sugar. Also, be wary of artificial colours and flavours, such as Red 40 and Yellow 5.
Some key ingredients to look for in plastic-free gum include natural gum bases like chicle, sorva, jelutong, beeswax, and paraffin wax. Biodegradable ingredients and compostable packaging are also important for reducing the environmental impact of chewing gum. Sustainable sourcing and recyclable packaging are other factors to consider when choosing a plastic-free gum alternative.
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Plastic's environmental impact
Chewing gum is essentially a flavoured form of plastic. It is made from synthetic gum base materials, such as butadiene-based synthetic rubbers, polymers synthesised from petroleum by-products, and polyvinyl acetate, which is a type of plastic. These synthetic materials are not biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, contributing to plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution is a global crisis that poses significant risks to the environment and human health. Plastics do not break down naturally and can accumulate in the air, soil, rivers, oceans, and other ecosystems. Microplastics, ranging in size from 5mm to 1 nanometre, and nanoplastics, smaller than 1 micrometer, have been found in every ecosystem on Earth, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. They are present in all sources of water and food that have been tested, as well as in the placentas of pregnant individuals and human stool samples.
The production, use, and disposal of plastics have detrimental effects on the environment and human health at every stage of their life cycle. The extraction of fossil fuels, from which plastics are derived, involves drilling and the release of toxins, causing damage to sensory organs, the respiratory system, the nervous system, and the gastrointestinal system. It also increases the likelihood of cancer, reproductive issues, and developmental toxicity.
The use of plastic consumer goods exposes people to the toxic impacts of microplastics and hazardous chemicals, which can contaminate the air, water, and food. The ingestion and inhalation of microplastics can lead to chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and stroke.
The disposal of plastic waste is a significant challenge, as only a small fraction of plastic waste is economically or technically viable to recycle. Every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic is dumped into the world's oceans, rivers, and lakes, polluting aquatic ecosystems and altering habitats and natural processes. This pollution puts marine species at higher risk of ingesting plastic, suffocating, or becoming entangled. More than 1,500 species in marine and terrestrial environments are known to ingest plastics.
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Plastic in bubble gum: health concerns
Chewing gum is made of synthetic rubber, also known as polyvinyl acetate, a type of plastic. It is doped with flavours and colourings, and contains softeners like vegetable oil and lecithin. The synthetic rubber is derived from petroleum by-products, similar to those used in car tyres.
The plastic in chewing gum is non-digestible and water-insoluble, so it never breaks down. This means that all the gum that has ever been chewed is probably still in the environment somewhere. In fact, chewing gum is the second most littered item on the planet, with 100,000 tonnes of plastic pollution being generated every year.
The health concerns surrounding plastic in bubble gum centre around the ingestion of microplastics. Studies have shown that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into the saliva, which are then ingested. While the long-term effects of microplastics are not yet understood, it is known that humans are exposed to microplastics in everyday life, and this is especially true for those who chew gum.
Some experts have recommended reducing or refraining from chewing gum, especially for children, as their developing brains may be more susceptible to any potential harm caused by microplastics. However, it is important to note that the FDA has evaluated the safety of substances used in chewing gum bases, and has determined that 46 substances are safe for this use. These include plastics, as well as natural substances like chicle and natural resins.
Despite the FDA's assurances, some remain concerned about the potential health implications of chewing gum, especially given the lack of extensive research on the topic. One concern is the potential for microplastics to enter the body while chewing, and the possible presence of other ingredients linked to carcinogens, such as aspartame.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, bubble gum contains plastic. A key ingredient in most chewing gums is polyvinyl acetate (plastic), which is also used in the production of glue, plastic bags, and bottles.
Polyvinyl acetate is a thermoplastic. Thermoplastic, or thermosoftening plastic, is any plastic polymer material that becomes pliable or moldable at an elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling.
Yes, there are some eco-friendly chewing gum brands on the market that make plastic-free gum, such as Glee Gum, Simply Gum, and Nuud.
Plastic production has a huge carbon footprint and uses massive amounts of oil or natural gas and energy. Plastic is also not broken down by natural processes in the environment.
The plastic in chewing gum is food-grade, FDA-approved plastic. However, recent studies have shown that microplastics pose a real risk to humans.
