According to a recent study, microplastics have been observed for the first time in human breast milk.
Italian researchers conducted the study, which was first published in the journal Polymers in June. 34 new moms’ breast milk samples were examined one week after delivery.
26 of these 34 samples had microplastics found in them.
The discovery of the particles, according to the researchers, “represents tremendous worry because it affects the highly sensitive population of infants.
They stated that “the chemicals presumably present in the foods, drinks, and personal care items consumed by nursing women may be passed to the offspring, potentially having a harmful effect.
The scientists came to the conclusion that human exposure to microplastics was “inevitable” and that it was therefore “difficult to determine” the particle’s source.
They called for further research to determine the impacts of microplastics on humans, particularly infants.
The findings, according to Greenpeace Aotearoa, underscore the need for a “strong Global Plastic Treaty,” and the organisation asked the government to push for one.
The oceans, the air we breathe, the food we eat, and even our bodies all contain plastic pollution, they claimed.
Microplastics are tiny plastics that are often no larger than 5 mm.
They were first detected in human blood by Dutch scientists earlier this year.
Additionally, a recent study discovered that microplastics were present in 75% of the commercially captured fish in Southern New Zealand seas.
Alarm caused by finding microplastics in human breast milk
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