New Jersey Considers Ban on Chewing Gum Over Microplastic Concerns
Proposed legislation also targets tea bags, cutlery, and other plastic products, sparking public debate.
New Jersey lawmakers have introduced legislation that could lead to a ban on chewing gum within the state, citing concerns over microplastic pollution. The proposed bill, titled the Protecting Against Microplastics Act, was introduced by Democratic Assemblywomen Shama Haider and Margie Donlon.
If passed, the bill would initially require chewing gum manufacturers to label their products for microplastic content for two years. Following this period, products containing intentionally added microplastics would be prohibited from sale in New Jersey. The legislation also proposes to ban other common items such as plastic plates, cutlery, containers, cleaning products, and cosmetics.
Supporters of the bill point to research suggesting that microplastics are released into the body during chewing. A 2024 study from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that a significant amount of microplastic is released from gum within the first eight minutes of chewing. Researchers estimated that a person consuming 160 to 180 pieces of gum annually could ingest approximately 30 million microplastic particles, a figure that an updated study suggested could be even higher.
While the long-term health implications of microplastic consumption are still under scientific investigation, concerns have been raised about their presence in human organs and potential links to DNA and lung damage. Haider's office stated that the bill's primary focus is public health and aims to give manufacturers an opportunity to reformulate products before sales are prohibited.
The bill allocates $3 million for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to enforce the ban and to develop programs aimed at reducing microplastic pollution in the state's air, water, and soil. This initiative would also involve analyzing microplastic levels in the air and promoting the use of safer materials.
The proposal has drawn criticism from some members of the public who question its priority amidst other societal issues. However, organizations like the New Jersey Dental Association have expressed support for reducing microplastics and indicated a willingness to collaborate with lawmakers to refine the bill's details.
New Jersey is among at least 14 other states, including California, New York, and Oregon, that have voiced concerns about the growing evidence of microplastics' negative impact on the environment and public health. The Protecting Against Microplastics Act was referred to the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee in mid-September. The bill must pass both houses of the state legislature and be signed by the governor to become law.