Polypropylene bottle particles get in milk
WELLINGTON: Bottlefed babies are consuming millions of microplastic particles in their milk, new research shows.
The research published in the journal Nature Food shows the high heat used to sterilise bottles made of polypropylene — or PP — significantly increases the release of microplastics.
Coauthor of the study, Prof John Boland, at Trinity College in Ireland, told RNZ yesterday researchers were surprised by the large quantities found while preparing new bottles of baby milk formula using WHO guidelines.
‘‘What we found is you have at least a million microplastics and in fact many trillion nanoplastics actually.’’
Particle shedding accelerated at higher temperatures, and shaking bottles also increased their release, he said
‘‘But even if you reduce the temperature of the water down to room temperature, it turns out you get at least a hundred thousand or several hundred thousand microplastics.’’
It was not known whether ingesting microplastics was harmful to children, Prof Boland noted.
He recommended using glass baby bottles, or preparing formula in another nonplastic container and allowing it to cool before putting it in the bottle to feed a baby.
Researchers estimate almost 69% of bottles are made of polypropylene plastic, including most sold in New Zealand.
Philips Avent — one of the only baby bottle companies to supply full product specifications on its website — does have products made of polypropylene.
A spokesman said from Australia the company was aware of the research but unable to comment at this stage.
Newborn Brands New Zealand director Jock Schoeller, whose company distributes the popular Tommee Tippee products, said he was waiting for guidance from the UK manufacturer.
He confirmed the company also had products made of polypropylene.
However, he pointed out it was not yet known whether microplastics had any effect on human health.
‘‘What I can say is, if people are concerned, they can switch to glass [bottles], and more people are already doing so.’’ — RNZ