The Effect of Industrial and Chemical Products on Breast Milk Content

Abstract

Breast milk is the most significant source of nutrition for the health and development of a newborn. Breast-feeding has a great importance for healthy growth and development of the newborn. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Aid Fund (UNICEF) recommend that newborns should be fed with only breastmilk during the first six months of their lives because of the nutritional and immunological benefits of breastmilk and, followed by breastfeeding with additional nutrients up to two years. Many studies have been conducted on the effects of sociodemographic variables, feeding and lifestyle habits on breast milk content. The results showed that many harmful chemicals were found in the content of breast milk. The chemicals in cleaning materials, cosmetic products and pesticides that are frequently used in daily life are absorbed through the skin or enter our bodies via respiratory and oral ways. After reaching a certain threshold value, they show the effects. These effects also vary according to the type of substance exposed, the duration of exposure, the pH value, the solubility, the way of taking and the amount taken. In addition, some elements may cause more harm to the body by showing synergistic effects with other chemicals. The most sensitive periods are pregnancy, puberty, and infancy in terms of being exposed to harmful chemicals and industrial substances. The harms of these chemicals, encountered during pregnancy, cannot be prevented by the placenta and may cause developmental disorders in the endocrine system or many systems of the fetus. It is very difficult to remove persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals contained in industrial and chemical products. The majority of these are lipophilic, ie they accumulate in adipose tissue. The toxic chemicals that the mother has been exposed before are also a potential risk for babies who are fed with breast milk in the early period when there is rapid growth and development after birth. Toxic substances indirectly effect various systems such as nervous, reproduction, respiration and endocrine by causing stimulation or suppression of immunomodulatory components. In some studies, delayed neurological development of children has been associated with mothers' exposure to heavy metals (Pb, Hg, etc.) and persistent organic pollutants. Health care providers should advice women about avoiding potential pollutants during pregnancy and post-pregnancy and the issues that women should pay attention during lactation. The aim of this compilation is to review the literature on industrial and chemical products effecting breast milk content and to contribute to the awareness of health care providers.

Keywords: Breast milk, breastfeeding, industrial products, chemical products, Toxic chemicals.

DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/6-05-09