The mobilization of aluminum from three brands of chewing gum

The aluminium content of three chewing gums was measured before and after chewing. Analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry demonstrated that a single stick of chewing gum may contain as much as 4 mg aluminium. Analysis of samples after chewing revealed that between 2 and 21% of the aluminium in some chewing gums is mobilized during chewing. These data suggest that a stick of chewing gum can yield aluminium levels that correspond to 0.05-2.22% of the typical daily intake of aluminium from all dietary sources. Therefore, although the aluminium content of some chewing gums is relatively large, only a small proportion of the aluminium is mobilized by chewing. These gums are unlikely to contribute significantly to the daily intake of dietary aluminium.