Exclusive Breastfed could expose infants to Toxic Chemicals

“Unfortunately the current U.S. legislation does not require any testing of chemical substances like PFASs for their transfer to babies and any related adverse effects”, said Philippe Grandjean, adjunct professor of environmental health at Harvard Chan School.

According to the research team, they knew that small amounts of PFAS could occur in breast milk, but their new study involved serial blood analyses that showed now a buildup in the infants.

New mothers may inadvertently pass industrial chemicals along to their babies through breast-feeding, which might lower the effectiveness of some childhood vaccinations, researchers report.

PFASs are widely used because it makes product resistant to water, grease and stains thus prolonging the life of materials.

Through breastfeeding, researchers found out a Perfluorinated alkylate substances or PFASs, major source from mother’s milk. These chemicals are used in paints and lubricants, some food packaging, and even waterproof clothing, among other things. Furthermore, it was reported to have been the culprit in contaminating the drinking water in various production facilities in the US. A research conducted by Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health found breastfeeding could possibly expose babies to industrial chemicals. MNT also added that PFASs are linked as a cause of immune system impairment, reproductive abnormalities, endocrine disruption and cancer.

In the study, researchers followed the growth of 81 babies who were born in Faroe Islands, which is located between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between years 1997 to 2000. However, after breastfeeding was stopped, concentrations of all of five types of PFASs started to decrease. They also looked at PFAS levels in the mothers of the children at week 32 of pregnancy.

The study, published at the journal Environmental Science & Technology, reveals that concentrations of PFASs in babies who were exclusively breastfed rise by as much as 20 to 30 percent every month of breastfeeding while, though present, a lower monthly increase is observed among babies who are moderately breastfed.

Only one type of PFA-perfluorohexane sulfonate does not increase its level with breastfeeding.

The researchers and the health officials do not want breastfeeding to be stopped but are concerned about the way these chemicals are swiftly building up inside the bodies of the infants, and it’s making them vulnerable.