Environmental Contaminants in Mother’s Milk

Why in News?

Recent studies in parts of rural India have detected traces of environmental contaminants, raising concerns about early-life exposure to pollutants.

• Breast Milk – It is a unique bioactive fluid produced by mammalian mothers.
• Composition – Contains all the nutrients that an infant needs in the first 6 months of life, including fat, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to 2 years of age or beyond.

• Importance – First food and first vaccine – Breast milk provides complete nutrition and immune protection for infants.
• Recommended by WHO as the safest nourishment for infants.
• It provides macronutrients, micronutrients, bioactive molecules and stem cells that support infant growth.
• Benefits –
  • Strengthening immune defences.
  • Supporting brain and neurodevelopment.
  • Shaping the gut microbiome.
  • Reducing inflammation and infections.
  • Lowering risk of allergies, autoimmune disorders, obesity and respiratory diseases.

Key findings of the study

• Long-term Benefits – Study found that longer breastfeeding duration is associated with
  • Higher intelligence in adulthood
  • More years of schooling
  • Higher earnings.
• Concern of Contaminants – Detection of traces of pesticides, heavy metals and uranium in breast milk in parts of rural India.  

Studies have detected at least 101 contaminants in breast milk samples across India.

• Nature – Detected substances fall into categories such as:
  • Carcinogens (cancer-causing agents)
  • Endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with hormonal systems)
  • Neurotoxins (harmful to brain development)
  • Nephrotoxicity (kidney damage)
• Early-life Exposure – Indicates exposure to pollutants may begin in infancy rather than later in life.
• Infants are particularly vulnerable because their organs and immune systems are still developing and have lower body weight, increasing relative exposure.
• Uranium in Groundwater – Uranium-238 (U-238) is a naturally occurring radioactive element that can contaminate groundwater.
• 151 districts across 18 states had groundwater uranium levels above the WHO guideline of 30 µg/l.

In Bihar, about 1.7% of groundwater sources are affected. Uranium contamination has been reported to have the highest level (5.25 µg/L) recorded in the Katihar district.

States with High contamination levels –

• • Punjab – 24.2% wells above limit
  • Haryana – 19.6%
  • Telangana – 10.1% 
  • Delhi – 11.7%
  • Rajasthan – 7.2%

• Smaller proportions were found in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar.
• Significance – Highlights the link between environmental pollution and early-life health exposure.
• Emphasises the need for groundwater quality monitoring and pollution control.

References

1. Down to Earth | Environmental Contaminants in Mother’s Milk
2. Nature | Contaminants in Mother’s Milk