PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs in human milk of women exposed to a PCB fire and of women from the general population of the province of Québec - Canada

Abstract

In August 1988, a PCB fire required the evacuation of 5 200 persons. Exposed lactating women were advised to stop breast-feeding during the two first days. This paper presents the evaluation of human exposure to PCDDs and PCDFs resulting from this fire. The levels of these compounds in breast milk were more elevated in the exposed group than in the control group but the levels were not statistically different. Differences between the exposed and control group were not observed for specific congeners measured in the soot found near the fire site. Moreover, this event allowed us to evaluate the levels of these contaminants in the breast milk of a representative sample of the population.