Nanoplastics and "forever chemicals" have been shown to disrupt the structure and function of key molecules in human breast milk and infant formula, raising concerns about their impact on infant health and development.
Human-made compounds such as plastics and forever chemicals—known scientifically as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS—are becoming increasingly prevalent in our surrounding environment. They are both frequently found in every day products, such as food packing and baby bottles, and may leach into the foods and liquids contained inside.
Both chemicals have been associated with a range of health conditions. For PFAS, these include increased blood cholesterol and blood pressure, reduced immunity, reproductive issues and an increased risk of certain cancers.
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Plastics, meanwhile, contain various chemicals that are known to disrupt our body's natural release of hormones, potentially increasing our risk of reproductive disorders and certain cancers. They may also carry toxins such as heavy metals on their surface which, when present in the form of tiny nanoplastic particles, can penetrate into our vital organs.
Now, researchers from The University of Texas at El Paso have explored the impacts of these compounds on three key molecules found in breast milk and infant formula which are critical for human development. In all three cases, PFAS and nanoplastics were found to significantly compromise the structure and function of these important proteins.
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"We weren't expecting them all to have this similar impact on the [protein's structure,]" Mahesh Narayan, a professor, fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and chief of the Division of Biochemistry in UTEP's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry who oversaw the research, said in a statement.
Let's look at these effects in more detail:
Milk protein: Beta-Lactoglobulin
Beta-Lactoglobulin is a key protein found in sheep and cow milk and is commonly used as an ingredient in infant formula. The protein binds to vitamin A and fatty acids and is crucial for vision and brain development in young children.
Upon exposure to nanoplastics and PFAS, the researchers found that the molecule became less efficient at binding to vitamin A and fatty acids, potentially resulting in significant developmental issues in infants.
Additionally, PFAS were actually able to bind to the milk protein and use it as a taxi to transport them around inside the body.
Human breast milk protein: Alpha-Lactalbumin
Alpha-Lactalbumin is found in human breast milk and plays an important role in the production of the milk sugar lactose. However, both nanoplastics and PFAS were found to corrupt the structure of this important protein, potentially compromising lactose formation and leading to downstream developmental defects, including compromised immunity and reduced mineral absorption.
Oxygen storage molecule: Myoglobin
Myoglobin is found in the blood and muscles of most mammals and plays a crucial role in oxygen storage in the body. However, both nanoplastics and PFAS were shown to disrupt the molecule's ability to store oxygen, potentially leading to health issues such as breathlessness and anemia.
"By understanding the molecular mechanisms of how nanoplastics and forever chemicals disrupt cellular functions, scientists can develop safer alternatives to these materials," Narayan said. "The insights gained from this research have far-reaching implications."
The full results can be found in the Journal of the American Chemical Society and ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.
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About the writer
Pandora Dewan is a Senior Science Reporter at Newsweek based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on science, health ... Read more
