Synthetic chemicals in breast milk threaten African infants, researchers warn

AFRICA – A disturbing discovery has emerged from recent research in Africa, where synthetic chemicals known as “forever chemicals” have been found in a wide range of everyday products and, alarmingly, in breast milk. 

Reported by scientists, these substances, called Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are now posing a serious risk to infants across the continent. 

From textiles to food packaging, these chemicals are pervasive and notoriously resistant to breaking down, earning them their “forever” nickname. 

According to experts, their presence in breast milk could have long-lasting health consequences for babies.

David Koli Essumang, a professor of environmental chemistry at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana and co-author of a study on this issue, expressed concern about the findings. 

“These chemicals accumulate in the body. So, if newborns are exposed to them right from birth, as they grow up, the impacts can manifest,” he said. 

His team’s research revealed PFAS in breast milk samples from Ghanaian women, highlighting how these compounds travel from a mother’s bloodstream into her milk. 

Though the exact effects on infants are still under investigation, the potential dangers are clear, with links to serious conditions like liver damage, thyroid disease, and even cancer.

These chemicals have spread globally, appearing on every continent, including Antarctica, and are a growing public health concern. 

A report by researchers shows that PFAS interfere with the body’s endocrine system, which controls vital functions like growth and immunity. 

Pregnant women and children are especially vulnerable, with exposure tied to high blood pressure during pregnancy, low birth weight, and reduced vaccine effectiveness. 

Rainer Lohmann, an environmental chemistry expert from the University of Rhode Island, described the situation plainly: “It’s the cost of living in an industrial society.” 

He noted that avoiding these pollutants is nearly impossible today.

In Africa, the problem is becoming more evident as studies expand. Adewale Adewuyi, a Nigerian-trained chemist now at Ulm University in Germany, was stunned by the presence of PFAS in breast milk. 

“Nobody expected to have PFAS in environmental water systems, like surface water or underground water, because these are major sources of drinking water for us,” he said. 

His 2024 research found PFAS in tap water, bottled water, and rivers in countries like Ghana and Nigeria, where water treatment systems struggle to remove them. 

Essumang’s earlier work in Ghana also detected these chemicals in the Pra and Kakum rivers, which supply millions with freshwater.

The challenge now, according to Essumang, is to gather more data and push for stronger regulations. 

While countries like the U.S. are setting PFAS limits in drinking water, such measures remain rare in Africa, a recent study noted. 

For now, the threat to infants persists, with researchers urging action to curb this silent danger.