Newshub18:Scientists have found plastic particles in mother’s breast milk for the first time.Italian scientists have identified microplastics (very small plastic particles) in breast milk for the first time. This has created concern among experts. They fear that this will have an adverse effect on the health of the newborn. But they think that the benefits of mother’s milk for the baby are greater than the risks of microplastics. News from The Guardian.
The research report was recently published in the journal Polymers. Microplastics found in breast milk include polyethylene, PVC and polypropylene. In 2020, it was this group of Italian scientists who identified plastic particles in human wombs.
Microplastics are very small particles of any type of plastic. They are less than 5 millimeters in length. As part of the study, breast milk samples were collected from 34 healthy mothers in Italy. Mothers gave samples one week after giving birth. Microscopic plastic particles were present in three-quarters of the samples, the study found.
Researchers say newborns are at risk due to chemical pollution. They think that more research is urgently needed in this regard.Previous studies have documented the toxic effects of plastic particles in human cells, laboratory animals, and marine animals. However, its effect on living human body is still unknown. And through the new study, scientists have brought the issue of microplastics to the fore.Food type, consumption of plastic wrapped drinks and seafood, use of plastic wrapped cosmetics were observed among the participating mothers. However, no association was found with the presence of small plastic particles in breast milk. Scientists say that humans inevitably come in contact with plastic particles that exist throughout the environment.
Valentina Notarstefano, a researcher at Italy’s Polytechnica del Marche University, said, “Our concern for newborns has increased with the confirmation of the presence of plastic particles in breast milk.”
Valentina Notarstefano also said, ‘It must be noted that the benefits of breastfeeding are much greater than the harms of plastic particles. Our studies do not mean that infants should stop breastfeeding. Rather, public awareness should be developed to pressure politicians to take legal action to reduce pollution.This scientist has advised pregnant women to avoid plastic food and drinks, cosmetics and toothpaste containing plastic and synthetic clothes