Breast-Feeding Exposure of Infants To Environmental Contaminants — a Public Health Risk Assessment Viewpoint: Chlorinated Dibenzodioxins and Chlorinated Dibenzofurans

Abstract

Exposure of children to chlorinated dibenzodioxins and chlorinated dibenzofurans via breast-feeding has been well-documented in industrialized countries. Recent studies indicate a possible link between development of subtle health effects in children and their exposure to dioxin-like chemicals from maternal milk. Some examples of the effects are lower vitamin K levels, increased thyroxine levels, and mild changes in liver enzymes. The projected daily intakes of chlorinated dibenzodioxins and chlorinated dibenzofurans are compared with minimal risk levels for intermediate duration oral exposure (15-365 days) derived for these chemicals. Public health recommendations for future actions related to infant intake of chlorinated dibenzodioxin- and chlorinated dibenzofuran-contaminated breast milk are also addressed.

The Drug Salicylamide Is an Antagonist of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor That Inhibits Signal Transduction Induced by 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin

“…There is mounting experimental evidence suggesting that TCDD may affect human fertility, because it is associated with anovulation and dysfunctional spermatogenesis in primates and other animals (32)(33)(34)(35). Developmental anomalies in infants may arise as a result of exposure via breast milk (36). Epidemiological studies have indicated that TCDD exposure is associated with an increase in many types of cancer, including lung, liver, and rectal cancers (3).…”

Environmental contaminants in human milk

“…These gaps can be filled through human epidemiologic study. Consideration of the high milligrams per kilogram per day dose delivered to the nursing infant and the persistence of the delivered dose for nearly a lifetime may require modifications in regulatory risk assessment models for persistent, biocumulative chemicals and for chemicals that can cross the placenta ( Pohl and Hibbs, 1996;Abadin et al, 1997) .…”

Risks and Management of Dioxins and Dioxin-like Compounds in Baltic Sea Fish: An Integrated Assessment

“…Also the differences between them are instructive. Risk-benefit comparisons in connection with contaminants in human milk and breastfeeding have been noted as an important topic on several occasions (e.g., Clench-Aas et al 1992, Pohl and Hibbs 1996. In general, it has been stressed that contaminants do not justify discouragement and reduction of breast-feeding.…”