Investigation of Polychlorinated Dioxins, Furans (PCDD/Fs) and Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Bbiphenyls (dl-PCBs) in Human Milk

Human milk Body burden Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls Risk assessment Public health ABSTRACT: A study on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) was conducted in a pooled sample of breast milk from 27 first-time mothers (primiparous) living in twelve locations at mesoregion industrial area, southern of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between August 2012 and July 2014. Questionnaires with questions regarding to food habits, social and economic conditions, places of dwelling were applied. Mothers were breast-feeding only one infant and milk was collected between 4 and 6 weeks after delivery. TEQs of PCDDs/Fs, and dl-PCBs were 10.6, 4.77, 6.96 TEQ pg/g, respectively. The understanding and identification of pollution sources may be helpful for taking better counter measures against breast milk dioxin contamination. It’s important for pregnant women to have a diet free as possible of contaminants chemical. Further research must be undertaken in the context of epidemiological investigations to more accurately assess the effects of these compounds.