PCDD and PCDF in breast milk as correlated with fish consumption in Southern California

Abstract

PCDD and PCDF levels were monitored in human milk obtained through the Women, Infants and Children Program of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department. The milk samples were from three groups with different fresh fish consumption. Only 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD and PCDF isomers were detected in human milk at levels comparable to those previously reported in other regions of the world. PCDD and PCDF levels could not be used to distinguish the dietary groups. However, the Southern California and Swedish human milk analyzed by our methods could be distinguished form each other. The level of 2,3,4,7,8 PeCDF was 3 to 4 times lower in human milk from Southern California than in Swedish milk. Additionally, chlorinated naphthalenes were detected in both Swedish and California human milk at levels estimated to be 10 to 100 times that of the PCDD's and PCDF's.