Levels and profiles of brominated and chlorinated contaminants in human breast milk from Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract

Human breast milk samples (n=87) collected between July 2004 and July 2005 from primipara and multipara mothers from Thessaloniki, Greece were analysed for six groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs): polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). DDTs [median: 410ng/g lipid weight (lw)], PCBs (median: 90ng/g lw) and HCHs (median: 40ng/g lw) were the predominantly identified compounds in all the breast milk samples. Levels of PBDEs (median: 1.5ng/g lw) in human breast milk samples from Thessaloniki, Greece were lower compared to other countries. Maternal age had a positive correlation with most compounds, but not with PBDEs. Women with a higher occupational exposure to PBDEs (i.e., working in office environments) had higher PBDE concentrations than all others and showed strong correlations, especially for BDE 47 and BDE 153. None of the analysed compounds showed any correlation with parity. Based on these levels, the daily intake of each group of POPs via human milk was calculated and compared with the tolerable daily intakes (TDI) or the reference doses (RfD). For the majority of samples (85 out of 87) a higher daily intake of PCBs than the TDI was calculated, while 11 out of 87 samples had a higher HCB intake than the TDI. The TDI and the RfD were not exceeded for DDTs and PBDEs, respectively. This is the first report of brominated flame retardants in human breast milk from Greece.

Comparative analysis of microbial communities during enrichment and isolation of DDT-degrading bacteria by culture-dependent and -independent methods

“…In some regions of China, the DDTs concentration in soils still exceed soil quality standards due to previous accumulation and slow degradation (Feng et al, 2003;Shi et al, 2005;Zhong et al, 2011). DDTs also continue to accumulate in the food chain and has been found in human adipose and breast milk (Dimitriadou et al, 2016). Other man-made organochlorine compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB), also persist in soils and have become serious environmental problems (Hu et al, 2008;Li and Yang, 2013).…”

Regression models to estimate total concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers: data from NHANES 2003–2004

“…In another study in China, egg consumption was suggested to be a pathway for exposure to BDEs (Zheng et al 2015). One or more BDEs have been detected in breast milk (Chao et al 2010;Dimitriadou et al 2016;Kim et al 2012). reported to be the prevailing congener in waste water sludge, along with 47,49,66,85,99,100,153,154, and 183 which were detected in lower concentrations (Stiborova et al 2015).…”

Analytical Methods for the Determination of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Human Milk

“…The levels of PBDEs and PCBs were measured using GC-MS method in the human milk samples (n = 87) collected between July 2004 and July 2005 from primipara (n = 34) and multipara (n = 53) mothers from Thessaloniki, Greece [62]. The median values of PBDEs and PCBs were determined 1.5 ng/g lw and 90 ng/g lw, respectively.…”