Scientists found micro plastic in mother's breast milk
Another serious form of plastic pollution is micro plastic. Microplastics are the smallest particles of plastic. Earlier, plastic was found in human blood and faeces, but now scientists have given new information. Microplastics have been found in mothers' breast milk for the first time. A group of Italian scientists found this evidence in their research, British news media The Guardian reported.
The Guardian reports that scientists collected milk samples from 34 healthy mothers a week after giving birth in Italy. Scientists detected microscopic plastic particles in the breast milk of three-quarters of those 34 mothers.
Microplastic is any piece of plastic less than 5 millimeters in length. Scientists have shown the toxic effects of microplastics in human cell lines, lab animals and marine animals in their previous studies, but the effects on living humans remain unknown. In recent studies, scientists have highlighted the risks posed by microplastics.
Scientists also recorded the consumption of plastic-packaged products in their diet, consumption of seafood, and use of personal hygiene products containing plastic in those whose breast milk was sampled. But the scientists found no correlation with the presence of microplastics in breast milk.
In that case, scientists say, due to the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in the environment, it is not actually the use of any specific product, but the presence of microplastics in the human body is being found in one way or another. One of the research team, Dr. Polytechnica del Marche, University of Italy. Evidence of the presence of microplastics in mother's milk is extremely dangerous for babies, says Valentina Notterstefano. It has also increased our concern for the population.
She added, 'But it's just that despite the presence of polluting microplastics, the benefits of breastfeeding are many. For this reason, breastfeeding of children cannot be reduced, but public awareness must be increased to pressure politicians to implement laws to reduce pollution.'
The study, published in the journal Polymer, found microplastics including polyethylene, PVC and polypropylene in breast milk. Previously, these Italian scientists detected microplastics in human placentas in 2020.
According to The Guardian, recent research has shown that bottle-fed babies can ingest millions of microplastics a day, and even cow's milk can contain small pieces of plastic.
Meanwhile, Valentina Notterstefano advises, "We call on pregnant women to pay more attention to avoiding plastics, cosmetics and toothpaste containing microplastics and clothing made of synthetic fabrics, packaged foods and drinks."
