MOZOM-analyse
MOZOM compares: PFAS in breast milk, reassurance or exposure alarm?
- Source
- RIVM en NU.nl
- MOZOM headline
- MOZOM compares: PFAS in breast milk, reassurance or exposure alarm?
- Original headline
- RIVM finds PFAS in all breast milk examined, usually below the risk limit
- Author
- MOZOM-redactie
- Date
- 1 juli 2026 om 12:55
- Subject
- The RIVM reports that PFAS was found in all breast milk examined, while 82 percent remains below the risk limit and breastfeeding is still recommended.
Summary of the original report
On July 1, 2026, the RIVM reported that PFAS was found in all breast milk examined from 1,629 women in the Netherlands. In 82 percent of the samples the amount is below the risk limit; below that limit no harmful effects are expected. In 18 percent the amount is higher, so effects cannot be ruled out. The RIVM mainly mentions PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS as frequently found substances, with PFOS as the most common and in the largest quantities. At the same time, the institute emphasizes that breast milk contains important nutrients and can provide protection against diseases. That is why RIVM and the Nutrition Center advise to continue breastfeeding, if possible. NU.nl reports the same message in public form and emphasizes the combination of ubiquitous PFAS and a decrease compared to previous research from 2014.
Striking in this message
It is striking that the same figure is both reassuring and alarming. The fact that 82 percent is below the risk limit sounds protective. The fact that 100 percent of the breast milk examined contained PFAS sounds like evidence that pollution has penetrated everywhere.
Less visible context
What is less visible is that PFAS can slowly disappear from the body, but is difficult to break down in the living environment. As a result, policy has a delayed effect. Bans on PFOS and PFOA only really help when replacement PFAS do not always open the same route. The key question is therefore not only what individual parents do today, but how quickly the government and companies can reduce total exposure.
Possible message behind the news
A possible message is that PFAS cannot be solved by individual families, even though the care falls on families.
Neutral conclusion
The neutral conclusion: this is a reassuring and uncomfortable message at the same time. The immediate advice does not change: breastfeeding remains recommended, if possible. But the broader conclusion is harsher. When PFAS is measurable even in breast milk, risk reduction is no longer a personal lifestyle issue, but a public task for industry, supervision and policy.