Glyphosate detected in breast milk

The Greens warn of potential health risks due to residues of the controversial herbicide glyphosate in breast milk samples. They had the mother's milk of 16 breastfeeding women from different federal states tested for burdens. Glyphosate levels between 0.210 and 0.432 nanograms per milliliter of milk were measured - for drinking water, 0.1 nanograms are permitted.

Toxins detected in breast milk. (Image: cicisbeo - fotolia)

The cancer research agency IARC of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the drug as "probably carcinogenic" in March. The chairman of the Bundestag Environment Committee, Bärbel Höhn (Greens), called for consequences: "Obviously there is a transition to breast milk. Although women can do something themselves to keep the burden low. But not everyone can and does not want to switch completely to organic food. The federal government must withdraw glyphosate from circulation until the question of the cancer-causing effect is clarified. "

In total, 16 samples of milk from various mothers were tested by a laboratory in Leipzig, who mainly eat conventional foods. The participating women were all non-users of glyphosate, so exposure must be from other sources (eg food, contact with surfaces where glyphosate was used). (Pm)