21 October 2020
The Irish researchers were stunned by the large number of microplastics from polypropylene baby bottles, up to 16.2 million tiny pieces per liter. Babies get those particles through bottle feeding, averaging 1.6 million a day. Sterilization of the bottles and exposure to high temperatures are the culprits.
Every day, children up to 12 months can ingest between 14,600 and 4.5 million microplastics. The researchers urgently recommend research into the health risks they pose. They also make recommendations for safer use of plastic bottles. Their research appeared in Nature Food.
Advice by WHO causes many plastic particles to come loose
In 2007, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an opinion on infant formula’s hygienic preparation. Unfortunately, it is precisely these tips that seem to lead to this degree of particle loss when plastic bottles are used. The research team followed the WHO guideline, such as sterilizing the bottle at 95 degrees and shaking the powdered food at 70 degrees Celsius. Both the hot water and the shaking back and forth caused the particles’ shedding, including particles so small that they cannot even be measured.
Research and measures urgently needed
As a result of this study, eco-toxicologist Prof. Dr. Dick Vethaak was interviewed. Health risks are still difficult to determine precisely because the smallest and probably most dangerous particles cannot be measured. They can circulate through the body and accumulate in organs.
Like the researchers, Vethaak advocates for more research combined with taking precautionary measures. Listen to the interview here.
WHO needs to adapt advice
It is clear that 13 years ago, the WHO did not consider microplastics and their potential damage to babies’ health. That was an unknown territory at the time. However, the opinion issued at that time is still being followed. For example, the Dutch Youth Health Centre refers to the instructions of manufacturers of artificial infant formulae in connection with hygiene, and it does not take the intake of microplastics into account either.
The researchers suggest that the bottles should be washed extra once and that prepared milk formula should no longer be warmed up in the bottles but separately in a pan. As a result, considerably fewer microplastics will come loose. Drinking from glass bottles is, in any case, an even safer alternative.
Position Plastic Soup Foundation
Even with the additional actions proposed by the researchers, babies will continue to be exposed to micro- and nanoplastics when using prepared milk formula made in plastic bottles. Plastic Soup Foundation upholds that, as a precautionary principle, official advice should be given on the use of glass bottles – like the one the baby in the photo is using – as well as explicit warnings on microplastics when using polypropylene bottles.
Photo credits header: Family Vriend-Hu
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