Read the full article by Pandora Dewan (Newsweek)
“Nanoplastics and ‘forever chemicals’ have been shown to disrupt the structure and function of key molecules in human breast milk and infant formula, raising concerns about their impact on infant health and development.
Human-made compounds such as plastics and forever chemicals—known scientifically as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS—are becoming increasingly prevalent in our surrounding environment. They are both frequently found in every day products, such as food packing and baby bottles, and may leach into the foods and liquids contained inside.
Both chemicals have been associated with a range of health conditions. For PFAS, these include increased blood cholesterol and blood pressure, reduced immunity, reproductive issues and an increased risk of certain cancers.
Plastics, meanwhile, contain various chemicals that are known to disrupt our body’s natural release of hormones, potentially increasing our risk of reproductive disorders and certain cancers. They may also carry toxins such as heavy metals on their surface which, when present in the form of tiny nanoplastic particles, can penetrate into our vital organs.
Now, researchers from The University of Texas at El Paso have explored the impacts of these compounds on three key molecules found in breast milk and infant formula which are critical for human development. In all three cases, PFAS and nanoplastics were found to significantly compromise the structure and function of these important proteins.”…