London - Breastfeeding can expose babies to cancerous chemicals, scientists fear.
In tests, levels of potentially poisonous compounds in infants’ blood rose each month they were breastfed.
The babies’ size meant that by the time they were weaned, some had higher concentrations of the perfluorinated alkylate substances, or PFASs, in their blood than their mothers.
The finding, from the respected Harvard School of Public Health in the US, is worrying because PFASs are “found everywhere” and have been linked to kidney and testicular cancers, as well as liver problems, obesity and delayed puberty.
They are a particular concern in childhood because they may suppress the immune system – meaning the vital jabs given to babies may not work properly. PFASs are part of a family of chemicals used in everything from non-stick pans to waterproof clothing. They are even used to help prevent microwave popcorn sticking to the bag.
Experts said the finding doesn’t mean that women shouldn’t breastfeed. However, they say that nursing mothers can try to cut their exposure by avoiding non-stick pans and regularly vacuuming rooms, to keep them free of dust contaminated with PFASs.
The researchers tracked levels of five types of PFASs in the blood of 81 babies from the Faroe Islands. Levels rose by up to 30 percent each month they were breastfed. Rises were smaller in youngsters who were part-bottle fed, and started to fall after breastfeeding finished, the journal Environmental Science & Technology reports.
Researcher Philippe Grandjean said: “There is no reason to discourage breastfeeding but we are concerned that these pollutants are transferred to the next generation at a very vulnerable age.”
Dr Michael Warhurst, of campaign group CHEM Trust, said: “Breastfeeding is the best option for babies, but it is shocking that industry’s careless production of persistent chemicals is leading to this contamination.”
The Chemical Industries Association said advances in science made it possible to detect minute amounts of chemicals in our bodies, but this does not necessarily mean that they are harmful.
Daily Mail