Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size that are released into the environment as a result of the breakage of larger plastic objects. Photo: Weibo

A recent study has found traces of microplastics in human breast milk for the first time, raising concern among researchers about its potential health effects on babies. Scientists said further research was urgently needed.

The breast milk research, published in the journal Polymers, found microplastics composed of polyethylene, PVC and polypropylene, which are all found in packaging. The breast milk samples were taken from 34 healthy mothers, a week after giving birth in Rome, Italy. Microplastics were detected in 75 percent of them.

Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size that have toxic effects on human cells, laboratory animals and marine wildlife, but their specific effects on human health remain unknown. Previous research has shown that bottle-fed babies may be ingesting millions of microplastics every day.