PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), or chemicals that interfere with the hormone system, is unavoidable, from the moment of conception onwards. Most toxic substances are hazardous in high doses, but with EDCs human health risks can also occur at low exposure. Maternal exposure to EDCs during pregnancy and lactation results in foetal exposure via the placenta, and neonatal exposure through breast milk and even through infant formula and/or its containers. A study carried out by the LIFE PERSUADED project, which concluded in late 2018, found measurable levels of two EDCs, DEHP and bisphenol A (BPA), in 99 % of children and 77 % of mothers analysed.
The period of pregnancy and early postnatal development are therefore considered highly critical in terms of the risk that EDCs will have a long-term impact on the modulation of immune, reproductive, brain and metabolic functions, potentially generating adverse effects, some of which might not be apparent until much later in life. However, there is little scientific data on the correlation between levels of EDCs in human milk, or on the subsequent impact on the health of infants. Furthermore, there is limited understanding of the risks from exposure to EDCs, and of the possible forms of contamination and routes of exposure, among the population, particularly young women.
OBJECTIVES
The life MILCH project aims to improve knowledge about the correlation between levels of maternal exposure to EDCs/milk contamination and the health status of infants, in order to support public health policies. Specifically, the project will:
evaluate differences in EDCs exposure in urban (Emilia Romagna) and rural (Sardinia) areas of Italy, and undertake an accurate analysis and risk assessment for each surveyed location (including blood and maternal urine before delivery, breast milk and urine of children); identify and measures to reduce exposure to EDCs, and communicate them, in particular, to young women of childbearing age, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and health practitioners, including physicians, gynaecologists, paediatricians, family doctors, obstetricians and medical students; evaluate the effectiveness of the communication campaign by analysing the levels of EDCs in the breast milk of women who participated in the campaign during pregnancy and in the urine of their children; study the EDC levels in commercially available formula milk and in formula-milk containers, and develop policies to reduce EDC presence; contribute to European Union policies on EDCs, provide input to relevant European databases, and draft recommendations for use in the context of the EU REACH regulation (Regulation No. 1907/2006 on the registration, evaluation, and authorisation of chemicals), under which EDCs are categorised as substances of very high concern where there is scientific evidence of serious effects on human health and the environment.
RESULTS
Expected results:
defined contamination levels showing exposure to EDCs of Italian children and women (about 3500 samples), in relation to their area of residence. This will be a tool for risk management, as required by REACH; identification of the correlation between exposure levels and damage to children's health; defined EDC levels in formula milk and formula-milk containers; a risk model and recommendations for decision makers and stakeholders; roll-out of an awareness-raising campaign, based on the projects results, targeting women of child-bearing age and pregnant andnursing women. The campaigns effectiveness in reducing the levels of EDCs in mothers and their children (about 1000 samples) and in increasing awareness of the health risk of exposure to EDCs, will be evaluated; signing of at least five voluntary agreements with formula milk and packaging companies on the reduction of EDCs in their products; and a reduction by 30 % in exposure to EDCs among the breastfeeding women participating in the project, against a baseline of data available on the levels of maternal milk contamination and on the metabolism of EDCs (which depend on their persistence).
