Authors
Cajka, T, Hajslova J.

Title:
Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in human milk from the locality Prague, Czech Republic: A comparative study.

Source:
Bulletin Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 70:913-919. 2003.

Summary
The majority of organochlorines found in the environment have been specifically manufactured for use in pesticides, solvents, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Although most of these compounds break down and disperse into the environment, a small number of these substances are very stable and thus remain in the environment for long periods of time. Due to contamination of the food supply, the highest concentrations of organochlorines are found in the fatty tissue of humans, fish-eating birds, and marine mammals. However, in the case of breastfeeding, organochlorine contaminants are excreted into human milk.

The paper by Cajka & Hajslova sought to compare the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in human milk samples from mothers living in Prague (Czech Republic) with those reported in other recent studies conducted abroad. The results of the present study were also compared with data collected from the same location 6 years prior. In addition, the relationship between PCB concentration levels and personal background data of donors (i.e. body weight, dietary habits, number of deliveries etc.) was assessed.

Gas chromatography was used to analyze 43 breast milk samples for the presence of PCBs and OCPs. Upon comparing the data to the PCB and HCB levels of 6 years ago, the results revealed a significant decrease in the concentrations of these pollutants. However, the PCB levels in the Czech samples were still among the highest in all of Europe. p,p'-DDE was the principal OCP compound found among all 43 samples and the observed levels of this analysis were much higher than those obtained from mothers living in European reference areas. Finally, no correlation was found between the mother's background information and contaminant levels.

Although the assessment of PCB levels performed in this study is important, the task of comparing different measurements within individual countries and between different countries and studies is difficult. Presently, no accepted standardized method exists for analyzing PCB concentrations in breast milk; therefore, the problem of incomparable results remains. In addition, PCB levels are often present in the environment with other pollutants and thus their reported toxic equivalency factor may also include dioxins and furans. Therefore, it becomes challenging to identify only those components attributable to PCBs. With respect to PCB exposure through breastfeeding, many researchers have concluded that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any risk due to PCB exposure.