Levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins/Furans (PCDD/Fs) and Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in Human Breast Milk in Chile: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that resist biochemical degradation, moving long distances across the atmosphere before deposition occurs. Our goal was to provide up-to-date data on the levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in breast milk from Chilean women and to estimate the exposure of infants due to breast milk consumption. In Chile, we conducted a cross-sectional study based on methodologies proposed by the WHO, with a sample of 30 women recruited from three defined areas: 10 from the Arica Region (urban; Arica and Parinacota Region), 10 from Coltauco (rural; O’Higgins Region), and 10 from Molina (40% rural; Maule Region). High-resolution gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) was performed on pooled samples from each area. We calculated equivalent toxic concentrations (WHO-TEQ) based on the current WHO Toxic Equivalency Factors (TEF). The minimum and maximum values of ∑ PCDDs/Fs + DL-PCBs-TEQ were 4.317 pg TEQ/g fat in Coltauco and 6.31 pg TEQ/g fat in Arica. Molina had a total TEQ of 5.50 pg TEQ/g fat. The contribution of PCDD/Fs was approximately five-fold higher than that of DL-PCBs. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of ∑ PCDDs/Fs + DL-PCBs based on the three pooled samples ranged between 6.71 and 26.28 pg TEQ/kg body weight (bw)/day, with a mean intake of 16.11 (±6.71) pg TEQ/kg bw/day in breastfed children from 0 to 24 months old. These levels were lower than those reported in international studies. Despite the fact that the observed levels were low compared to those in most industrialized countries, the detection of a variety of POPs in breast milk from Chilean women indicates the need for follow-up studies to determine whether such exposures during childhood could represent a health risk in adulthood.

Gene × environment interactions in autism spectrum disorders

“…Thus, humans are primarily exposed to PCBs via diet, although inhalation is becoming an increasingly important route of exposure, particularly to the lower chlorinated congeners (Ampleman et al, 2015;Carpenter, 2006;Chan-Hon-Tong, Charles, Forhan, Heude, & Sirot, 2013;Durand et al, 2008). In addition, PCBs cross the placenta and are present in breastmilk (Foerster et al, 2021;Kim et al, 2018). The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has documented widespread PCB exposure in women of childbearing age in the U.S. (Thompson & Boekelheide, 2013).…”

The Broad Spectrum and Continuing Needs of Women’s Health

“…Maintaining and improving breastfeeding rates of infants is an important strategy for modifying the impact of climate change on infants, and this may benefit from the application of new communication technologies [2,3]. Sometimes, pollutants may be found in breastmilk, and efforts need be made to continue to reduce environmental pollution, but breastmilk is still the safest and most beneficial way to feed all infants [4]. Cultural pressures, however, continue to subjugate women's management of their reproductive lives.…”