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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to A word of caution regarding breast milk: a correspondence
ClearHuman Milk—The Biofluid That Nourishes Infants from the First Day of Life
This review highlights that human breast milk, while being the ideal nutrition for infants, is now subject to contamination by environmental pollutants including microplastics. The presence of microplastics in breast milk means that infants may be exposed to plastic particles from the very first days of life. The authors call for new monitoring methods to better understand the extent of contamination and its potential effects on infant development.
Detection of Microplastics in Human Breast Milk and Its Association with Changes in Human Milk Bacterial Microbiota
Researchers detected microplastics in nearly 39% of breast milk samples from 59 mothers, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types found. The presence of microplastics was linked to changes in the bacterial makeup of breast milk, raising concerns about early-life microplastic exposure in infants during breastfeeding.
Human Milk, Microplastics and Children's Health: An Equation to Be Solved
This review examined microplastic contamination in human breast milk, summarizing evidence of widespread MP detection and discussing the potential health consequences for infants whose primary food source in the first two years of life may contain plastic particles.
Microplastics in the Human Food Chain: Exposure and Health Implications
This review documents how microplastics have permeated the human food chain and are now detected in human tissues including lungs, liver, placenta, and breast milk, examining exposure routes through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact and the potential health consequences of this ubiquitous contamination.
Micro problems with Macro Consequences: Accumulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Human Breast Milk and in Human Milk Substitutes
This review examines the co-occurrence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and microplastics in human breast milk and infant formula, highlighting that infants — one of the most vulnerable populations — may be exposed to both chemical and particle-based contaminants through feeding. The authors stress that the health effects of microplastic ingestion in early life remain largely unknown, making this a critical gap in understanding long-term developmental risks.
Breastfeeding in a Polluted World: Perspective on the Properties of Breast Milk and the Need for Protection
This review examines the composition and protective properties of breast milk as a biological fluid evolved to support infant health, while raising concern about the growing detection of environmental contaminants including microplastics and endocrine disruptors in breast milk.
Detection of diverse microplastic polymers in human breast milk
Researchers detected microplastics in human breast milk samples using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, identifying a range of polymer types including polyethylene, polypropylene, and others, raising concerns about infant exposure to plastics during breastfeeding.
Editorial: Role of hormones and bioactive components in breast milk on development of metabolic, neural and behavioral systems in offspring
This editorial introduces research on how hormones and bioactive compounds in breast milk shape the metabolic, neural, and behavioral development of offspring. Breast milk has been found to contain microplastics, raising questions about whether plastic particles may also affect the developmental role of this critical early food source.
Microplastics Contamination in Breast Milk and Infant Milk Products in Indonesia
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in breast milk and infant formula products in Indonesia and found that powdered formula had the highest average particle count, followed by liquid formula, stored breast milk, and fresh breast milk. Notably, 37% of fresh breast milk samples had no detectable microplastics. The findings raise concerns about infant exposure to microplastics through both breast milk and formula, with packaging and processing appearing to increase contamination levels.
Release of microplastics from breastmilk storage bags and assessment of intake by infants: A preliminary study
Researchers tested six commercially available breastmilk storage bags and found they released large numbers of microplastic and submicron particles during simulated normal use. The particles were identified as plastics using spectroscopy analysis, raising questions about infant exposure through stored breastmilk. The study suggests that single-use plastic baby food packaging may be an overlooked source of microplastic ingestion for infants.
Microplastics in Dairy Products: Occurrence, Characterization, Contamination Sources, Detection Methods, and Future Challenges
Researchers reviewed 17 studies on microplastic contamination in milk and dairy products and found concentrations ranging from undetectable to over 10,000 particles per kilogram, with baby milk powder showing the highest levels. The most common plastics found were polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, and polyester, including some types considered harmful to human health. The study highlights that dairy products are particularly susceptible to microplastic contamination from packaging, processing equipment, and the environment.
Human Exposure to Microplastics from Food-Contact and Daily-Contact Materials: Current Evidence and Perspectives
This review summarizes current knowledge on how microplastics from food-contact materials and daily-use products contribute to human exposure. Researchers found that items like water bottles, disposable cups, infant feeding bottles, tea bags, and skincare products are frequent and direct sources of microplastic ingestion and contact. The study highlights that microplastics have been detected across diverse human tissues and biological fluids, and offers practical strategies to reduce daily exposure.
Dietary exposure and risk assessment of plastic particles in cow’s milk stored in various packaging materials
Researchers compared plastic particle contamination in cow's milk stored in different types of packaging and found that milk in multilayer containers had more plastic particles than milk in PET or glass bottles. This matters for human health because millions of people drink milk daily, and the packaging itself may be adding plastic contaminants to a staple food.
An Overview of the Possible Exposure of Infants to Microplastics
This review summarizes the ways infants can be exposed to microplastics, including through the placenta before birth, breast milk, infant formula, plastic feeding bottles, and toys. Infants may face higher risks because their bodies are still developing and are less able to process and remove these particles. The authors call for more research and greater attention to reducing microplastic exposure in products designed for babies.
What Health Concerns Could Micro and Nanoplastics Pose for Infants? A Review
Microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected in human placentas, meconium, and infant faeces, meaning babies can be exposed before and immediately after birth. This review examines what these early-life exposures might mean for infant health and development, and discusses broader policy responses to reduce plastic overproduction as the most direct route to protecting future generations.
Microplastics detection from packaged milk: Estimation, diagnosis of probable sources, evaluation of dietary exposure, pollution load, and risk assessment
Researchers tested commercially packaged milk in India and found it contained up to four times more microplastics than fresh farm milk, with low-density polyethylene from packaging being the main source. The study estimates that infants face the highest relative exposure due to their body weight and milk consumption, raising particular concerns about health risks for the youngest consumers.
Feasibility of Raman and FTIR spectroscopy for direct microplastic search in the human milk samples: Comparative qualitative study
Researchers tested whether infrared and Raman spectroscopy could detect microplastics directly in human breast milk without harsh chemical processing that might damage the samples. They found these methods can serve as a useful screening tool for common plastics like polyethylene and polystyrene in milk, which matters because breast milk is a direct route of microplastic exposure for infants.
Microplastics in infant milk powder
Researchers found microplastics in 13 brands of infant milk powder, with boxed products containing nearly twice as many particles as canned versions, likely from plastic-lined packaging. However, the biggest source of microplastic exposure for bottle-fed infants was not the powder itself but the plastic feeding bottles, which released nearly seven times more microplastics. This study highlights that the containers used to prepare and serve infant formula are a more significant source of microplastic exposure for babies than the formula itself.
Raman Microspectroscopy Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Human Breastmilk
Researchers used Raman spectroscopy to detect and characterize microplastics in human breast milk samples for the first time. They found microplastic particles in the samples, confirming that nursing infants can be exposed to microplastics through breastfeeding. This pilot study highlights the need for larger investigations into how microplastics in breast milk might affect infant health during a critical period of development.
Microplastics in dairy products and human breast milk: Contamination status and greenness analysis of available analytical methods
Researchers reviewed the contamination of dairy products and human breast milk with microplastics, finding concentrations as high as 2,590 microplastic particles per liter, while also noting that most current detection methods are not environmentally safe or standardized. The findings call for stricter food safety regulations and greener analytical tools to track microplastic contamination in foods consumed from infancy.
Microplastic Exposure to Infants
This review summarizes current evidence on microplastic exposure in infants, covering detection in feces, breast milk, and infant formulas. The authors highlight that infants may face greater health risks from microplastic exposure than adults due to immature metabolic systems and higher sensitivity.
Microplastics in the commercially available branded milk in Bangladesh: An emerging threat for human health
Researchers found microplastics in all 25 commercially available milk brands tested in Bangladesh, with powdered milk containing more particles than liquid milk. Children were estimated to be exposed to 3.4 times more microplastics than adults through milk consumption, raising concerns about the health impacts of early-life microplastic exposure through a staple food.
Detection of various microplastics in placentas, meconium, infant feces, breastmilk and infant formula: A pilot prospective study
In a pilot study of 18 mother-infant pairs, researchers detected microplastics in placentas, meconium (first stool), infant feces, breast milk, and infant formula. The finding of microplastics in breast milk and formula means that infants are exposed to microplastics from their earliest feedings, both natural and artificial. This study reveals that microplastic exposure begins before birth and continues through infancy, a critical period of development.
Micro problems with macro consequences: accumulation of persistent organic pollutants and microplastics in human breast milk and in human milk substitutes
This review examines the presence of persistent organic pollutants and microplastics in both human breast milk and infant formula, raising questions about early-life exposure. Researchers found that these contaminants can transfer to infants during the critical first 1,000 days of development, a period important for long-term health. The study highlights significant gaps in our understanding of how combined exposure to microplastics and organic pollutants during infancy may affect health outcomes.