Methodology for collecting, storing, and analyzing human milk for volatile organic compounds

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Biomonitoring assesses human exposure to environmental chemicals using biological samples.
• Measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in physiological fluids presents significant collection and analysis challenges.
• Existing methods for analyzing VOCs in breast milk require thorough evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate methods for collecting, storing, and analyzing 36 VOCs in breast milk.
• To assess VOC exposure in lactating women and nursing infants.
• To establish a sensitive and reliable analytical method for breast milk VOCs.

Main Methods:

• Samples collected and stored in small headspace containers to minimize volatile analyte loss.
• Specially treated collection materials used to prevent contamination from common VOCs.
• Solid-phase microextraction headspace sampling coupled with gas chromatography-selective ion monitoring mass spectrometry for analysis.
• Method detection limits achieved in the low parts per trillion range.

Main Results:

• Developed method demonstrated recovery > or = 70% for detected VOCs.
• Identified and quantified 10 out of 36 VOCs in breast milk samples from 12 women.
• Detected VOCs included xylenes, toluene, benzene, and chloroform at median concentrations ranging from 0.016 to 0.539 ng/mL.

Conclusions:

• The developed method is effective for collecting, storing, and analyzing VOCs in breast milk.
• This validated method provides a crucial tool for biomonitoring chemical exposure in nursing infants and mothers.
• Accurate measurement of VOCs in breast milk can inform public health strategies regarding environmental chemical exposure.