Formula-fed infants exposed to greater levels of arsenic: Study
As detailed in their study, Estimated Exposure to Arsenic in Breastfed and Formula-Fed Infants in a Untied States Cohort, researchers from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire found that arsenic levels in urine from breastfed infants was 7.5 times lower than from formula-fed infants.
Exposure to high levels of arsenic, a natural element found in water, rocks, soil and air, has been linked to cancer.
The Dartmouth College team, led by Professor Kathryn Cottingham, measured arsenic levels in tap water, urine from 72 six-month old infants, and breast milk from nine woman enrolled in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS).
Urinary arsenic concentrations from infants exclusively fed formula were "generally low" at a median of 0.17 micrograms per litre (µg/L) and a maximum of 3.0 µg/L, said the study.
This was, however, 7.5 times higher than from breastfed infants.
“In conclusion, our findings suggest that breastfed infants have lower exposure to arsenic than formula-fed infants, even when drinking water arsenic concentrations are low," concluded the study, which was published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal.
This, the Dartmouth College study added, suggests tap water was not solely to blame.
"Specifically, formula powder accounted for 71% of median estimated exposure in the NHBCS, suggesting that the powdered component of formula, rather than the mixing water, may be the primary source of exposure for many of the formula-fed infants in this population," said the study.
"This finding may be of particular concern given that the predominant form of arsenic in formula powder appears to be the more toxic, inorganic species."
"Identifying the sources of arsenic in formula powder could help reduce exposure for formula-fed infants if alternatives are available in the production process, consistent with earlier calls for greater attention to contaminants in infant formula," it added.
Source: Environmental Health Perspectives http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408789
Title: Estimated Exposure to Arsenic in Breastfed and Formula-Fed Infants in a United States Cohort
Authors: C C Carignan, K L Cottingham, B P Jackson, S F Farzan, A J Gandolfi, T Punshon, C L Folt, and M R Karagas
