Perchlorate exposure from infant formula and comparisons with the perchlorate reference dose
Joshua G Schier1, Amy F Wolkin, Lisa Valentin-Blasini
1Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. jschier@cdc.gov
Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology
|March 19, 2009
Summary
Infant formula, particularly bovine milk-based with lactose, contains perchlorate. Infants may exceed the safe perchlorate reference dose (RfD) from certain formulas or contaminated water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- Infants may have higher perchlorate exposure than adults due to diet, specifically infant formula.
- Perchlorate is a potential contaminant that can affect thyroid function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify perchlorate concentrations in various commercially available powdered infant formulas (PIFs).
- To estimate infant exposure to perchlorate from PIFs and compare it to the established reference dose (RfD).
- To determine the perchlorate concentration in water that would lead to exceeding the RfD and to estimate iodine intake from PIFs.
Main Methods:
- Quantified perchlorate levels in multiple samples of PIFs (bovine milk-based with lactose, soy-based, lactose-free, elemental) using perchlorate-free water.
- Conducted exposure modeling for 48 scenarios based on infant age, body weight, and PIF type.
- Analyzed perchlorate concentrations and estimated iodine intake.
Main Results:
- Perchlorate was detected in all tested PIFs.
- Bovine milk-based PIFs with lactose showed significantly higher perchlorate concentrations (1.72 microg/l) compared to soy, lactose-free, and elemental formulas.
- The perchlorate reference dose (RfD) may be exceeded with certain bovine milk-based PIFs or when using perchlorate-contaminated water for reconstitution.
Conclusions:
- Perchlorate is a widespread contaminant in PIFs, with bovine milk-based formulas containing lactose exhibiting the highest levels.
- Infant exposure to perchlorate can potentially exceed safe limits, particularly with specific formula types and contaminated water.
- Further attention to formula composition and water quality is warranted to minimize infant perchlorate exposure.
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