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International Journal of Environmental Noise and Pollution Control Original Research

Maternal and Infant Pollutant Exposure through Breastfeeding in Industrial Punjab

  1. Stephen Monday Desh Bhagat University, NH-44, Amloh Road, Mandi Gobindgarh, Fatehgarh Sahib
  2. Harvinder Kaur Sidhu Department of Agriculture & Life Sciences and IQAC Coordinator, Desh Bhagat University, NH-44, Amloh Road, Mandi Gobindgarh, Fatehgarh Sahib
  3. Kashish Pathan Department of Clinical Psychology, Desh Bhagat University, NH-44, Amloh Road, Mandi Gobindgarh, Fatehgarh Sahib

Abstract

Because of their lasting presence, bioaccumulation in the food chain and/or potential for transferring to infants through breastfeeding, environmentally persistent chemical pollutants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAs), pesticides, heavy metals and industrial emissions, represent significant public health threats. A study was conducted using a structured questionnaire to gather information about maternal demographics (age, education, marital status), how mothers were exposed to environmental contaminants through occupational activities, the ways they breastfed their infants and any indicators of infant health. The participants in this study were 3,811 rural farm mothers in industrial towns located in Punjab, India. After gathering the above information, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses and logistic regression techniques. The findings show that 41.2% of respondents reported relying on borehole water, 67.8% were exposed to pesticides, and 54.3% lived near an industrial facility. 72.6% of respondents only provided breast milk to their infant. Infants of mothers with high environmental exposure were 2.61 times more likely to experience a recurrence of illness than infants whose mothers did not have high environmental exposure (95% CI: 1.92-3.49). Poor water quality, pesticide application and occupational farming were all predictors of maternal perceived pollutant exposure. Residents of rural agricultural areas in industrial cities have had to endure very high levels of environmental exposures, which has resulted in an increased risk for infants via human milk transfer through breastfeeding. Recommendations include a stronger regulatory framework around the environment, community education on environmental health issues and safer farming practices.

Keywords

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