Selected polyhalogenated hydrocarbons in breast milk

Breast milk samples were collected and analysed within a comprehensive programme co-ordinated by WHO EURO to evaluate the possible health risk for breast-fed infants in chosen localities of European countries ('exposed' and 'control' ones). The samples of breast milk were collected, stored transported and analysed by a standardised study protocol to assure the comparability of the results from different areas (of 19 European countries). The study included three categories of chemicals: polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs)/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxine like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other PCBs. The results obtained confirmed the correct choice of 'exposed' and 'control' regions in the Czech Republic as a suitable tool used to identify certain geographical areas with relatively high exposure levels for further risk management actions and possible follow-up epidemiological studies. The results obtained have shown high levels of PCBs in exposed region but not in the dioxine-like fraction, that ranged within a lower rank of a relevant European data. PCDs/PCDFs levels ranged in the same lower rank of values in comparison with e.g. Benelux countries. The data of this study does not confirm ideas about wide spread excessive exposure of central European population to polyhalogenated hydrocarbons via excessive contamination of a local food basket. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.