A recent research study conducted by experts at McGill University has uncovered surprising chemical contaminants in human breast milk.
The investigation, focusing on samples from Canada and South Africa, revealed the presence of various chemicals in the milk, including residues of pesticides, antimicrobials, and compounds commonly found in plastics and personal-care products.
According to Stéphane Bayen, an associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry at McGill and a co-author of the study, these chemicals were detected in minimal amounts. While the full health implications are not yet fully understood, Bayen emphasized that despite these findings, breast milk remains highly beneficial for infants due to its essential nutrients and disease-fighting antibodies.
Unlike previous studies that examined specific substances and their health impacts, this research used a comprehensive non-target analysis to identify any unusual chemical residues. Among the compounds identified were:
Additionally, in samples from South Africa, researchers discovered 8-hydroxyefavirenz, a byproduct of the HIV medication efavirenz, which had not been previously reported in human milk.
Bayen noted that the presence of this compound suggested maternal use of efavirenz, a treatment that was later replaced by a different regimen. This new insight could lead to enhanced chemical safety regulations to safeguard infant and parental health by broadening testing parameters and prompting further investigations into how these chemicals interact within the human body.
The study, which involved the collection of nearly 600 human milk samples from Canada (Montreal) and South Africa (Vhembe and Pretoria) between 2018 and 2019, underscores the importance of understanding and monitoring the chemical composition of breast milk to ensure the well-being of infants during their crucial developmental stages.
