Plastic in the Purest Food: Microplastics Found in Human Breastmilk

Redacción HC
06/11/2023

In a world awash with plastic, a new scientific discovery raises fresh concerns about its reach—into the most intimate and vital nourishment: human breastmilk. A recent Italian study has provided the first direct evidence that microplastics are present in breastmilk, prompting urgent questions about infant health, maternal exposure, and the invisible contaminants in our daily lives.

Published in Polymers in 2022, the study was led by researchers Antonio Ragusa and colleagues from several Italian institutions. Using cutting-edge Raman microspectroscopy, they identified plastic particles in 76% of the milk samples collected from healthy mothers just days after childbirth.

From Packaging to Breastmilk: How Microplastics Travel

Microplastics—tiny plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters in size—have already been found in human blood, lungs, placenta, and feces. But their detection in breastmilk marks a disturbing new threshold. For newborns, breastmilk is often their only source of nutrition during the first months of life.

The researchers collected milk from 34 mothers in Rome using an ultra-strict, plastic-free protocol. Samples were processed with potassium hydroxide to dissolve organic matter and then filtered through ultra-fine membranes. The remaining material was analyzed using Raman microspectroscopy, a non-destructive method that detects and identifies the molecular composition of particles based on how they scatter light.

What They Found: Types, Shapes, and Sources

Microplastics were found in 26 out of 34 samples, with particles ranging in size from 2 to 12 micrometers—comparable to the size of a human cell. These fragments, fibers, and spheres varied in color and shape, suggesting multiple sources of contamination, from food packaging to household products.

The polymers identified included:

• Polyethylene (PE) – used in bags, bottles, and packaging
• Polypropylene (PP) – common in food containers and hygiene products
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – found in plumbing and medical devices
• Polystyrene (PS) – used in foam packaging and insulation
• Polyester (PES) and Polyamide (PA) – prevalent in textiles and clothing

Some particles also contained pigments used in cosmetics and food packaging, hinting at environmental exposure through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion.

No Lifestyle Predictors: Exposure Is Widespread

The study also surveyed participants on diet, cosmetic use, and plastic consumption habits. Surprisingly, no statistically significant correlation was found between personal habits and the presence of microplastics in breastmilk. This suggests that exposure is widespread and indiscriminate, even for those who avoid plastic products or consume less seafood—often considered a major source of microplastics.

This finding underscores the pervasiveness of plastic pollution: we are all exposed, regardless of lifestyle choices.

Why This Matters: Health and Policy Implications

Although the health effects of microplastics in breastmilk are still unknown, evidence from animal studies raises alarms. Exposure to microplastics has been linked to:

• Immune system disruption
• Cellular inflammation
• Hormonal imbalances
• Reduced fertility and altered development in offspring

Infants, with developing immune and digestive systems, may be especially vulnerable. And while breastmilk remains the gold standard for infant nutrition, the presence of synthetic particles demands urgent attention.

Policy Recommendations from the Study

1. Stricter regulation of plastic use in food packaging, personal care products, and medical supplies.
2. Public health campaigns to reduce single-use plastics in households with newborns.
3. Investment in research to track the long-term health impacts of early-life exposure to microplastics.
4. Advanced detection methods to identify even smaller particles—such as nanoplastics—beyond the current size threshold.

Breastfeeding in a Plastic World: What Can Be Done?

This study is not a call to discourage breastfeeding. On the contrary, breastmilk remains unmatched in nutritional value and immune protection. But it does highlight the need for systemic change: the way plastics are produced, regulated, and disposed of must evolve to match the urgency of the science.

Local governments and international agencies alike must address microplastic contamination as a public health issue, not just an environmental one. In Latin America and other regions where plastic recycling infrastructure is weak, the stakes are even higher.

What Can Parents Do?

While systemic action is needed, small changes can help reduce exposure at the household level:

• Use glass or stainless-steel containers for food storage.
• Avoid microwaving food in plastic.
• Choose natural fiber clothing and baby products.
• Minimize use of personal care items with synthetic polymers.

Conclusion: A Call to Protect the Most Vulnerable

The discovery of microplastics in breastmilk is more than a scientific milestone—it’s a societal wake-up call. The substances that surround us, feed us, and clothe us are now crossing biological boundaries into the earliest stages of human development.

As one of the study’s authors warned, “We are only beginning to understand the consequences of lifelong microplastic exposure—and the clock is ticking.”

Topics of interest

Pollution Health