Accumulation of DBPs in Human Breast Milk

Abstract

ISEE-0538 Background and Objectives: All over the world the authorities are challenged to balance the risk presented by microbial pathogens and DBPs resulted from the disinfectant used to destroy them from drinking water. Unfortunately these toxic DBPs can be transferred from mother to infant via breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to determine these DBPs in water from distribution systems and its accumulation in human milk. Methods: DBPs such as THMs and HAAs from water were analyzed over the last 3 years on GC-ECD using HS-extraction. Starting with 2008, milk samples from 58 nursing mothers were collected and analyzed for these DBPs on GC-ECD-MS after separating the lipid content from milk. An interview was held with each of the mother based on a standard WHO questionnaire. A comparison study were performed between mother living in urban area using disinfected water and mothers living in rural area using untreated water from house well. Results: The most commonly determined DBPs from water were THMs with an average of TTHMs between 85 μg × l−1 −21 μg × l−1, higher values being measured in summer seasons. The HAAs concentration was notably lower, with an average of THAAs at 13 μg × l−1. In breast milk collected from women living in urban area we detected DBPs, with an average at 23 pg/lipid for ΣTHMs and 1.8 pg/lipid for ΣHAAs. The value of daily intake of these DBPs from mother's milk by children was calculated based on the formula of USEPA. Conclusions: It was observed that in the case of women from rural area the concentration of DBPs was extremely low, almost nonexistent but considerable amounts of DDT were detected in their case. The following results have been obtained of daily intake of these compounds: 0.0008–0.0011 for ΣHAAs (mg × kg−1), 0.09–0.0021 ΣTHMs (mg × kg−1) and 0.072–0.0095 for ΣDDT (mg × kg−1).