Volumes 458–460, 1 August 2013, Pages 399–407
Current concentrations, temporal trends and determinants of persistent organic pollutants in breast milk of New Zealand women
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Highlights
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- New Zealand breast milk concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were low internationally
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- Breast milk concentrations of PBDEs, dieldrin and DDTs were in the mid-range
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- Age, urban/rural residency and BMI were determinants of POPs concentrations
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- Between 1998 and 2008 POPs body burdens decreased by half in nursing women
Abstract
Breast
milk samples of 39 first time mothers aged 20–30 were collected in
2007–2010 from rural and urban areas of New Zealand, following the
fourth World Health Organization coordinated survey protocol. Samples
were individually analysed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
including dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl
ethers (PBDEs). The lipid adjusted concentrations of PCDD/Fs (mean toxic
equivalent (TEQ): 3.54 pg/g) and PCBs (mean TEQ 1.29 pg/g) were low in
comparison to those reported for other countries, and concentrations of
dieldrin (10 ng/g) and p,p′-DDE (379 ng/g) and PBDEs were in the mid-range. Breast milk concentrations of PCDD/F-TEQ, PCB-TEQ, dieldrin and p,p′-DDE
were significantly higher in rural compared to urban areas (+ 23%, 33%,
59%, and 44% respectively), while concentrations of several PBDEs and
lindane were higher in urban areas. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and
OCPs, but not PBDEs, increased with age, and higher body mass index was
associated with lower concentrations of PCBs. Despite New Zealand's low
body burdens of many chlorinated POPs in comparison to other countries,
breast milk concentrations continued to decrease over time, with a
decrease by half over the last 10 years for PCDD/F-TEQ (− 40%), PCB-TEQ
(− 54%) and OCPs − 34 to − 90%), indicating that regulatory measures
continue to have beneficial effects. Continued monitoring is needed
particularly for the brominated POPs for which little New Zealand
specific data is available.
Keywords
- Persistent organic pollutants;
- Organochlorine pesticides;
- Brominated flame retardants;
- Human milk;
- New Zealand
- Corresponding
author at: Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University,
Wellington Campus, Private Box 756, Wellington, New Zealand. Tel.:
+ 64 4 801 5799x62424; fax: + 64 4 380 0600.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
