Raman microspectroscopy detection and characterisation of microplastics in human breastmilk
Ragusa A, Notarstefano V, Svelato A, et al. (2022). Polymers.
What they found
Microplastics were found in 26 of 34 breast milk samples by Raman microspectroscopy, mostly polyethylene, PVC and polypropylene, sized 2–12 µm. No relationship was found with the mothers' diet, seafood or use of personal care products.
- Sample
- 34 breastfeeding women
- What it can't tell you
- Pilot, single-centre study. Counts are low and sensitive to contamination. Does not show harm to infants; breastfeeding guidance is unaffected.
- Funding
- Università Politecnica delle Marche (Fondo di Ateneo)
- Topics
- In the body, Baby and kids
- Checked against
- Abstract (Europe PMC, PMID 35808745); funder via Crossref; no corrections