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Hidden Chemicals Found in Human Milk
21 Jan
Summary
- Researchers found pesticides, antimicrobials, and plastic additives in human milk.
- Data from Canadian and South African samples may improve chemical safety rules.
- McGill study emphasizes that breastfeeding remains ideal despite contaminant findings.
Researchers at McGill University have identified several unexpected chemical contaminants in human milk, including pesticides, antimicrobials, and additives commonly found in plastics and personal-care products. The study, which analyzed 594 samples collected between 2018 and 2019 in Montreal, Vhembe, and Pretoria, utilized a non-targeted analysis to detect residues not previously reported in human milk.
Newly identified chemicals include preservatives like 2-ethylhexyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and phenyl paraben, plastic antioxidant additives such as Irganox 1010 and BHT-COOH, the herbicide propanil, and the antimicrobial chloroxylenol. South African samples also contained 8-hydroxyefavirenz, a metabolite of an HIV medication. These findings were achieved using high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with data-mining strategies.
While researchers stress that these chemicals were detected at low concentrations and their full health effects are not yet understood, they do not recommend discouraging breastfeeding. The study noted potential associations between certain contaminants like BPA and infant growth alterations in South African infants. The findings underscore the importance of understanding infant exposure to environmental chemicals during critical developmental periods and may inform future chemical safety regulations.
