Infant safety concerns regarding microplastics and diaper chemicals

A systematic review published in Science of Food highlights the potential exposure of infants aged 0 to 12 months to microplastics, nanoplastics, and synthetic oligomers through feeding items such as bottles, nipples, and containers. The review, which analyzed 26 studies, notes that infants may be more vulnerable than adults due to high food and liquid intake relative to body weight. However, researchers emphasized that a quantitative meta-analysis is currently impossible due to significant heterogeneity in testing methods and materials used across different studies.

Regarding disposable diapers, including brands like Pampers, laboratory tests have addressed concerns regarding the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and glyphosate. While some reports have suggested the presence of these substances, testing indicates that PAH levels remain very low and below European Union tolerance limits. Investigations by consumer organizations like Altroconsumo have noted a significant improvement in product safety since 2019, with no concerning levels of PAHs detected in recent tests.