PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs, and other organochlorine compounds in human milk from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and -furans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other organochlorine compounds were determined in a pooled sample of breast milk from 40 mothers (first lactation: 33; second lactation: 7, age: 15-38 years) living in the urban area of Rio de Janeiro County, Brazil, in 1992. Mothers were breastfeeding only one infant and milk was collected between 4 and 6 weeks after delivery. The results showed a dioxin equivalent concentration of 8.1 pg I-TEq/g milk fat. The levels of other chlorinated compounds (micrograms per gram of milk fat) were as follows: PCBs (total), 0.15; alpha-HCH, 0.001; beta-HCH, 0.27;gamma-HCH, 0.005; HCB, 0.012; DDT (total), 1.7; dieldrin, 0.023, and cis-heptachlor epoxide, 0.008. These results suggest that human background contamination by PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and HCB in Rio de Janeiro is lower than that generally found in industrialized countries.
Paumgartten
F J
FJ
Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. paum@manguinhos.ensp.fiocruz.br
Cruz
C M
CM
Chahoud
I
I
Palavinskas
R
R
Mathar
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis*; D001938:Brazil; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis
D001572:Benzofurans; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls