Babies who are breastfed have lower arsenic exposure than babies who are fed formula, according to a new study.
The powder and water used to make the baby formula may be sources of arsenic, which occurs naturally in the environment and in large doses is linked to serious health problems, the researchers write in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
It’s not clear, however, whether the low levels of arsenic exposure in the study will turn out to be harmful, the researchers say.
Parents who need to use formula to feed their infants shouldn’t feel badly about the new findings, said Kathryn Cottingham, one of the study’s lead authors. Instead, they should pay attention to the water they’re using to make baby formula.
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