Pollutants in Breast Milk: A Review of Recent Data from 2024
Breastfeeding remains a well-established source of nutrition for newborn babies because of its immunological, metabolic, and neurological benefits. Breastfeeding is also beneficial because it contains antibodies that help protect the baby as well as fats that are helpful for the baby’s brain maturation. However, breast milk is a rather complex biological fluid that may be vulnerable to toxic chemicals or pollutants. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals are toxic chemicals that can contaminate breast milk and affect both the mother and baby. In a recent study, researchers compiled 54 relevant published articles to explore the phenomenon of breast milk being both nutritious and possibly toxic, while also comparing the benefits and costs of breast milk in relation to formula milk.
From these compiled articles, several POPs were identified to be in breast milk, including: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), Organochlorines (OCs) and others. The risks of these toxic chemicals that may be found in breast milk include cancer, hypertension, and effects on different parts of the body including the brain, spinal cord, immune system, and endocrine system, among other impacts. Of note, the articles discussed effects to infant development, such as language delay and impaired neurocognitive function. The articles also highlighted that both obesity and increasing age correlated with higher concentrations of POPs in the mother’s body and that POPs do not decrease in breast milk after the first breastfeeding.
From these compiled articles, several POPs were identified to be in breast milk, including: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), Organochlorines (OCs) and others. The risks of these toxic chemicals that may be found in breast milk include cancer, hypertension, and effects on different parts of the body including the brain, spinal cord, immune system, and endocrine system, among other impacts. Of note, the articles discussed effects to infant development, such as language delay and impaired neurocognitive function. The articles also highlighted that both obesity and increasing age correlated with higher concentrations of POPs in the mother’s body and that POPs do not decrease in breast milk after the first breastfeeding.
Breast milk remains a beneficial source of nutrition for infants. The detection of pollutants and contaminating substances indicates a greater environmental issue in need of more extensive policy and preventative action.
Image Source: Towfiqu barbhuiya
POPs in breast milk mainly come from the mother’s diet as well as the environment. It was found that in most cases a mother’s diet is the primary source of POPs in breast milk. Mothers who consumed eggs, meat, and dairy products were most likely to consume POPs that would contaminate their breast milk. Furthermore, living close to factories or heavily polluted areas also tended to increase the amount of POPs in milk.
In comparison to formula milk, many of the articles also noted that artificial milk made from cow’s milk could also be contaminated with POPs and heavy metals. Therefore, cow’s milk could also be polluted in the same way that human breast milk is. Overall, it is important to note that there is an increasing need for more studies that can clearly conclude whether or not breast milk is the safest source of nutrition for babies and delineate how to prevent such POPs and heavy metals from contaminating breast milk in the first place.
In comparison to formula milk, many of the articles also noted that artificial milk made from cow’s milk could also be contaminated with POPs and heavy metals. Therefore, cow’s milk could also be polluted in the same way that human breast milk is. Overall, it is important to note that there is an increasing need for more studies that can clearly conclude whether or not breast milk is the safest source of nutrition for babies and delineate how to prevent such POPs and heavy metals from contaminating breast milk in the first place.
Featured Image Source: RDNE Stock project
RELATED ARTICLES
|
Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
|
Vertical Divider
|