Technology and Science15 September, 20262 min read
EPFL Finds Rubber-Derived Chemicals in Swiss Raw Milk, Federal Food Safety Office Says
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Four rubber-related chemicals detected in Swiss raw milk by EPFL and Agroscope under OSAV mandate. Study suggests sources include tire wear and dairy milking equipment, near roads farms.
Rubber chemicals in milk
Scientists at the Federal Polytechnic Institute of Lausanne (EPFL), working on behalf of the Federal Food Safety Office, identified several rubber-derived chemical substances in Swiss raw milk. The analysis revealed the presence of four rubber-related chemicals in raw milk, and EPFL said that “As dairy farms are often located near roads, chemical compounds derived from rubber can end up in milk, thereby potentially exposing consumers to these substances.” In contrast, “none of the targeted compounds were detected in the three samples collected from alpine farms located far from heavily trafficked roads,” the study reported.
The study also found that dairy equipment could be a source of contamination, with analysis of pipes, joints and other rubber components used in dairy production revealing the presence of 14 rubber-related chemicals. Even with those findings, the study said “the implications for human health remain unknown,” and it noted there is no data on whether pasteurisation destroys rubber-derived chemical compounds.
What the study measured
Researchers analyzed milk samples from 17 Swiss farms, and at least one of the four rubber chemicals being tested for was detected in seven of the 17 samples. In three samples from alpine farms located far from heavily trafficked roads, the researchers found none of the substances, and the results were published in the journal “Food Chemistry X.” The study described a second, unexpected source: milking systems themselves, where researchers examined hoses, gaskets, and other rubber parts used in milk production.
According to study leader Florian Breider, it was surprising that these compounds came from materials that are legally approved for contact with food, and the milking system materials included the compound 6PPD-quinone. The article said 6PPD-quinone is known to be harmful to certain fish species and forms through oxidation as the material ages, while future studies would investigate how concentrations fluctuate and the exact pathways into milk.
Health questions and next steps
EPFL emphasized that the study was preliminary, that detected concentrations were “generally low,” and that health implications for humans remain unknown for now. The scientists said it was important to “understand how rubber-related chemical substances enter food production systems and determine whether long-term dietary exposure poses risks,” and they said the results were published in “Food Chemistry X.” The reporting also noted that tire and road wear release an estimated six million metric tons of rubber particles into the environment each year, with particles able to enter agricultural land and the food chain via air, runoff, or fertilizers.
In a separate account, researchers said the sample size was too limited to establish a clear link between contaminant concentrations and nearby road traffic, while dairy equipment could still be responsible for part of the contamination. Florian Breider argued that “before legislating, we should conduct more studies to evaluate how this also affects other types of industries,” as researchers continued investigating pathways and safer materials for food-contact applications.