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Absorption of polychlorinated biphenyls, dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans by breast-fed infants
P Dahl1, G Lindström, K Wiberg
1Institute of Environmental Chemistry, University of Umeå, Sweden.
Insights
Breast-fed infants absorb over 95% of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins from typical Swedish human milk. Higher excretion of certain dioxin types was observed in this infant exposure study.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Toxicology
Background:
- Human milk contains persistent organic pollutants like PCBs, dioxins, and furans.
- Infant exposure to these contaminants is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding absorption rates is crucial for risk assessment in breast-fed infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the absorption of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and furans in breast-fed infants.
- To compare contaminant intake with fecal excretion over time.
- To assess the impact of contaminant levels typical for Sweden on infant absorption.
Main Methods:
- Studied four breast-fed infants over 48-hour periods at 1, 2, and 3 months postpartum.
- Measured absorption by comparing estimated total intake with fecal excretion.
- Analyzed contaminant levels in human milk, finding typical Swedish concentrations (approx. 20 ppt TEQ for dioxins/furans, 16 ppt TEQ for PCBs).
Main Results:
- Infants absorbed over 95% of most analyzed PCB and dioxin congeners.
- Higher excretion rates were observed for heptachlorinated and octachlorinated dioxins.
- Contaminant levels in milk were consistent with typical Swedish environmental exposure.
Conclusions:
- Breast-fed infants demonstrate very high absorption rates for common environmental contaminants found in human milk.
- Specific congener characteristics, such as chlorination level, may influence excretion efficiency.
- Findings support the need for continued monitoring and risk assessment of persistent organic pollutants in infant diets.
Abstract:
The absorption of polychlorinated biphenyls, dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans was studied in four breast-fed infants. The absorption was measured by comparing the estimated total intake and the excretion in faeces, during 48 hours, at three different time points; 1, 2 and 3 months post parta. The levels of the analysed compounds in the human milk are typical for Sweden, i.e approximately 20 ppt toxic equivalents for the dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans and for the polychlorinated biphenyls approximately 16 ppt toxic equivalents. For most of the congeners the absorption is found to be over 95%. Higher excretion is noticed for heptachlorinated and octachlorinated dioxins.