A national survey of polychlorinated dioxins, furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in human milk in China

Irrigation-induced pollution of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in paddy field ecosystem of Liaohe River Plain, China

“…The high level pollution of PCBs has been found in the sediments from Liaohe River and Liaodong Bay of Bohai Sea [11,12]. In addition, a national survey indicated that PCB-TEQ in human milk from rural area of Liaohe River Basin was relatively higher [13]. However, little is known about the real pollution of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in the rice ecosystem resulted from the irrigation of polluted river water.…”

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in blood and breast milk samples from residents of a schistosomiasis area with Na-PCP application in China

“…Exposure to higher background levels through breast milk may cause immune disorders such as atopic dermatitis (Yang et al, 2002). Although levels of PCDD/F exposure vary among countries, the benefits of breastfeeding were still deemed to outweigh the risk of dioxin exposure (LaKind et al, 2004;Nickerson, 2006;Li et al, 2009). Taking into account breast milk's nutritional, immunologic, anticancer, and detoxifying effects, the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated its recommendation for breastfeeding based on a reevaluation of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in 1998 (Brouwer et al, 1998).…”

“…Human samples such as breast milk, serum/plasma and adipose tissue have been used as biomarkers to assess the extent of human exposure to PCDD/Fs and the associated risk they pose to human health (Tuinstra et al, 1994). Also, the Stockholm Convention relies on breast milk and human blood to evaluate the effectiveness of the treaty in reducing emissions of POPs (Li et al, 2009). In the current studies, 20 general population blood samples and 50 breast milk samples were collected in the Dongting Lake area and PCDD/F levels were determined.…”

Cancer immunoediting and dioxin-activating aryl hydrocarbon receptor: a missing link in the shift toward tumor immunoescape?

“…111,114,115 Furthermore, recent reports in the literature indicate that in critically polluted areas, human breast milk contains very high levels of dioxin. 116,117 There are also growing fears that the activity of AhR on the fetus may create a predisposition to immunosuppression starting in the mother's womb, if not already established in the gonadal cells of the parents, creating transgenerational cancerogenesis. [118][119][120][121][122][123] In conclusion, although our immune system seems to be capable of protecting us from the onset, growth, and spread of tumors, it finds an insuperable cancer ally in a microenvironment altered by immunosuppression elements.…”