Persistent Chemical Substances Threaten Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often perceived as a natural and accessible choice for all mothers. However, this ability can be weakened by exposure to persistent chemical substances present in the environment. These compounds, widely spread due to their industrial use, accumulate in the human body and disrupt the development of mammary glands. Studies conducted in several countries show that women exposed to high levels of these substances during pregnancy have a shorter breastfeeding duration. Toxicology research confirms that these products alter the formation of mammary tissue, which is essential for milk production.
In humans, the benefits of breast milk for the child are numerous: it promotes cognitive development, reduces the risk of infection, and limits attention disorders. For the mother, breastfeeding helps restore metabolic balance after pregnancy, thereby reducing the risks of diabetes or hypertension. Yet, only 40% of infants in the United States are still breastfed at one year, a low rate often attributed to social or medical difficulties. However, exposure to these chemical substances could also play a role in this decline.
The mechanisms by which these substances affect breastfeeding are not yet fully understood. However, studies on animals reveal that exposure during pregnancy or puberty delays the development of mammary glands. In exposed mice, the glands were less developed, and the offspring were born with a lower than normal weight. These effects, observed even at low doses, suggest a particular sensitivity of this tissue.
Despite this evidence, health risk assessments and clinical recommendations pay little attention to these impacts. Standardized tests do not include systematic examination of mammary glands, and the effects on breastfeeding are rarely considered in regulatory decisions. Yet, experts have emphasized since 2009 that changes in mammary development should be integrated into risk assessments, as they can lead to breastfeeding difficulties or increase susceptibility to breast cancer later in life.
The consequences are also economic and social. Breast milk, free and available on demand, contrasts with the high cost of formula, which can reach several hundred euros per month. In the United States, the lack of breastfeeding results in annual expenses estimated between 17 and 100 billion dollars, due to the prevention of diseases in children and mothers. Additionally, formula, the water used to prepare it, or even cow’s milk can contain these chemical substances, complicating parents’ choices.
Mothers exposed to these substances often find themselves in a dilemma: continue breastfeeding despite the transmission of these substances to the infant, or choose alternatives that may also contain them. Health authorities generally recommend continuing breastfeeding, as the benefits outweigh the risks. However, this decision remains difficult in the absence of clear thresholds for assessing the dangers posed by these substances in breast milk.
The effects are not limited to humans. Farmers have observed a decrease in milk production in cows exposed to these substances, suggesting a broader impact on mammals. These findings highlight the importance of integrating these effects into risk assessments and clinical advice. Future research should further explore the impacts on mammary development and include this data in recommendations for mothers and healthcare professionals.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-026-00546-6
Title: Lactation Interrupted: PFAS Impact on Capacity to Breastfeed Ignored
Journal: Current Environmental Health Reports
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Authors: Katherine E. Pelch; Megan E. Romano; Anna Reade; Suzanne E. Fenton; Amalie Timmermann