Exposure of babies to C15–C45 mineral paraffins from human milk and breast salves

Mineral paraffins widely occur in foods, but are also ingredients of body lotions, lip sticks, and breast salves. In this study it is shown that mineral paraffins are detectable in human milk. Thirty three human milk samples were found to contain mineral C15–C45 paraffins at a mean concentration of 95 ± 215 mg/kg fat and a maximum of 1300 mg/kg. The mineral paraffins found in human milk had average molecular weights between C23 and C33, and often more than half of the paraffins were below C25. exposure of babies via human milk, the intake by direct licking off salves (in the worst case consisting of vaseline) from the breast of their nursing mothers may be much higher. In a worst case situation, daily intake from breast care products by babies is estimated to reach 40 mg/kg bw. Many compositions do not comply with the specifications and a temporary group ADI of 0–4 mg/kg bw established by the SCF. ossible exposure of babies either calls for a toxicological re-evaluation of the mineral paraffins or for measures ensuring that exposure of babies is reduced.