ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PLAN OF THE MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, NATURE CONSERVATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY Action Programme "Environment and Health" UFOPLAN

Residues of flame retardants in breast milk from Germany with specific regard to polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDE) This study presents the observations on PBDE-levels in breast milk as well as possible influencing factors. The study-design enabled the specific analysis of the impacts of eating habits and the duration of breast-feeding. Further possible factors were pinpointed and examined using a questionnaire. The daily PBDE-intake of a fully breast-fed infant was estimated by a worst-case scenario. In the period from November 2001 to March 2004, a total of 128 milk samples were taken from 89 nursing mothers (total collective) across Germany within 1 – 2 weeks and in some cases again appr. 12 weeks after child delivery. 41 women were on a mixed diet (cohort 1) and 32 were vegetarians or vegans (cohort 2). 16 mothers did not meet the criteria for participation. were analysied. This study is one the most extensive examinations for PBDE in breast milk worldwide. From the total collective, the mean value of the total PBDE (sum of 9 congeners) was calculated at 2,49 ng/g milk fat. In comparison with other european countries, the body burden in Germany falls among the lowest. The succession of the congeners BDE 47>153>99>100 are found to be identical in most european countries, which indicates similarity of exposure sources. Measurements in North America with mean values of 22 to 73 ng/g milk fat are 10 to 30 times higher that those in Germany. The different succession of the main congeners BDE 47>99>100>153 suggests that the exposure sources may be differ from those in Europe. The decabromocongener BDE 209 was quantified in breast milk samples from Europe for the first time. These results confirm, that despite its low bioavailability the BDE 209 is absorbed and is present in human milk samples reflecting the low European background body burden. For the first time, evidence was found, that both partial or total refrainment from the consumption of animal products and breast-feeding of several infants lead to significantly lower PBDE-levels. Accordingly, the average value of 1,65 ng/g fat from the breast milk samples of the vegetarian mothers was significantly lower than the average of 2,47 ng/g fat in samples of the mothers on a mixed diet. The number of mothers who were breast-feeding the 2 nd or 3 rd child was higher among the vegetarians than among those on a mixed diet, the observed differences in body burden …