Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 13: In a concerning revelation, a new study has found that toxic metals such as lead and arsenic in breast milk may be significantly impairing infant growth and development. Conducted by researchers at the University of Arizona, the study highlights how environmental pollution can silently threaten maternal and child health—even through breast milk, often considered the most vital source of nutrition for infants.

Focusing on communities in Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán watershed, the researchers discovered that breast milk from many mothers contained levels of arsenic and lead that exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) safety standards. These findings offer one of the first direct links between environmental contamination and stunting in infants through maternal milk in the Americas.

“Detecting toxic metals in breast milk is deeply concerning,” said Dr. Sandra Rodríguez Quintana, postdoctoral research associate and co-author of the study. “It points to a much larger issue—how polluted environments are jeopardizing early child development, especially in vulnerable populations.”

Guatemala has the highest rate of stunted growth in the Western Hemisphere, traditionally attributed to poor nutrition and recurring infections. But this study, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, suggests chronic exposure to contaminated drinking water may be a major overlooked contributor.
The research team studied 80 mothers and their infants from four different communities around Lake Atitlán. Breast milk samples were tested for toxic metals, while infant lengths were measured to assess growth.

Their findings were clear: elevated levels of arsenic, lead, barium, and beryllium in breast milk were strongly associated with stunted growth in infants. The source of contamination was traced primarily to the local drinking water, which had high concentrations of arsenic and barium.

“Contaminated water not only affects gastrointestinal and immune health but also acts as a pathway for dangerous metals to enter a child’s system through the mother,” the researchers stated. “This adds an additional burden on public health, especially in low-resource settings.”

The study calls for urgent interventions, including improved water quality, maternal health monitoring, and stricter regulation of environmental contaminants in vulnerable regions.

As environmental pollution becomes increasingly intertwined with global health outcomes, this research underscores the critical need to safeguard not just ecosystems, but the most fundamental aspects of human life—starting with infant nutrition.