Organic Pollutants In Human Milk Research Articles

Association between persistent organic pollutants in human milk and the infant growth and development throughout the first year postpartum in a cohort from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are compounds that are recalcitrant and ubiquitous that bioaccumulate in human milk (HM) and can impact infant growth and development. We explore the association between POP concentration in HM at 2-50 days postpartum and infant growth and development trajectory throughout the first year of life. A cohort of 68 healthy adult Brazilian women and their infants were followed from 28 to 35 gestational weeks to 12 months postpartum. HM samples were collected between 2 and 50 days postpartum, and POP concentrations were analyzed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Concentrations of POPs >limit of quantification (LOQ) were defined as presence, and concentrations ≤LOQ as an absence. Growth z-scores were analyzed according to WHO growth charts and infant development scores according to Age & Stages Questionnaires at 1 (n = 66), 6 (n = 50), and 12 months (n = 45). Linear mixed effects (LME) models were used to investigate the association of POPs in HM with infant growth and development. Benjamini-Hochberg (BH) correction for multiple testing was performed to reduce the false discovery ratio. P < 0.1 was considered for models with the interaction between POPs and time/sex. After BH correction, adjusted LME models with time interaction showed (1) a positive association between the presence of β hexachlorocyclohexane and an increase in head circumference-for-age z-score (β = 0.003, P = 0.095); (2) negative associations between total POPs (β = -0.000002, P = 0.10), total organochlorine pesticides (β = -0.000002, P = 0.10), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene concentrations in HM (β = -0.000002, P = 0.10) and fine motor scores. No statistical difference between the sexes was observed. Postnatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides in HM shows a positive association with the trajectory of head circumference-for-age z-score and a negative association with the trajectories of fine motor skills scores. Future studies on POP variation in HM at different postpartum times and their effect on infant growth and development should be encouraged.

First WHO/UNEP survey of the current concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in human milk in Morocco

The presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in human milk is an indicator of the level of these substances in the environment and enables evaluation of the potential exposure of breastfed children. POPs concentrations in a Moroccan human milk pooled sample (59 donors) were determined for the first time by the WHO reference laboratory to provide a baseline and allow monitoring of the future trends for those persistent organohalogen compounds. Eighty-one different POPs, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) were identified and quantified by using gas chromatography (GC) with an electron capture detector (ECD) and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/LRMS). The obtained results showed that the sum of DDT (sum of o,p’-DDD, p,p′-DDD, o,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDE, o,p’-DDT, and p,p′-DDT) was 237.9 ng/g, representing 94.0% of all detected OCPs levels, with a dominance of p,p′-DDE, and p,p′-DDT. Cis-heptachlor epoxide, HCB, and HCH were found at much lower levels. PCB indicator level was 60.7 ng/g of lipid, with the dominance of PCB 138, PCB 153, and PCB 180, presenting 98.3% of the total. Among the 25 PBDE congeners quantified, BDE-47, BDE-153, BDE-197, and BDE-207 were the dominant congeners account for 15.4% of the total concentration of PBDE (1.3 pg/g lipid). The lipid-adjusted level of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs expressed in Toxic Equivalents (TEQs: 6.65 pg/g) were lower in comparison to those found in the other countries. In summary, detected POPs levels in Moroccan human milk were much lower compared to the other countries, reflecting the effectiveness of the compliance with Stockholm Convention requirements on eliminating or reducing emissions of selected POPs. Continued monitoring is needed for these compounds, for which this is the first data available, provided by the WHO/UNEP survey in Morocco.

Persistent organic pollutants in human milk from primiparae – correlations, global, regional, and national time-trends

Human breast milk reflects body burden of chemicals and has been used for exposure assessment to estimate risks of humans from pollutants. Harmonized protocols for sampling and analysis of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have become widely available after the entry-into-force of the Stockholm Convention on POPs and activities coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). These protocols promote the generation of national pools consisting of breast milk from first mothers directed to assess at national level but have not been assessed comprehensively. Early surveys date back to the mid-1980s, but the majority of the pools and high numbers of POPs analytes were available after the year 2000. Our assessment of pools from 90 countries for 29 POPs showed declining time trends for almost all POPs and significant differences between all 5-year time periods. However, in general, the most recent data from samples collected between 2015 and 2019, were no longer different from the period immediately prior. The strongest declines were seen for POPs that have already been measured for more than 30 years, i.e., dioxin-like POPs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). For certain initial and newly listed POPs, such as aldrin, endrin, mirex, toxaphene, α-HCH, chlordecone, endosulfan, pentachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, decabromo diphenyl ether, hexabromobiphenyl 153, and perfluorohexane sulfonate, the median values in pools were always zero, and some of them were never quantified in these human milk pools. Since these POPs may be present at national level, we recommend including all listed POPs into surveys related to the Stockholm Convention.

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Human Milk: Exposure Levels and Determinants among Lactating Mothers in Lebanon

Exposure of newborns to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is a public health concern. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of POPs in human milk collected from lactating mothers in Lebanon and to investigate the sociodemographic, nutritional, and other lifestyle determinants. Fifty-four breast milk samples were collected as per World Health Organization guidelines. A survey was used to assess the anthropometric and demographic characteristics of participants. Dietary habits were evaluated based on a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were measured in milk samples with liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography. Among the screened POPs, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) was the only POP detected in breast milk samples and was found in only 17.9% of the samples, with a mean (SD) of 11.6 (5.0) μg/L and a range of 5.7 to 21.4 μg/L. Prepregnancy body mass index and age were positively associated with DDE contamination in breast milk. Women who consumed cereals at least two times per week had detectable DDE contamination in their breast milk. Consumption of potatoes and beans at least once per week was also associated with DDE contamination. Our study is the first to assess the presence of POPs in breast milk in Lebanon. The benefits of breastfeeding compensate for the low prevalence of DDE in the breast milk. Our findings highlight the high need to implement monitoring policies, good agricultural practices, and education programs for breastfeeding mothers.

Monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Human Milk of Lazio Region

Monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Human Milk of Lazio Region. Direct or indirect prolonged exposure to organic contaminants diffused into the environment may lead to chronic toxicity through human milk. Infants and young children exposure during breast feeding can have a negative impact on adulthood.

Pesticides in human milk of Western Australian women and their influence on infant growth outcomes: A cross-sectional study

Persistent organic pollutants in human milk (HM) at high levels are considered to be detrimental to the breastfed infant. To determine the pesticide concentration in HM, a pilot cross-sectional study of 40 Western Australian (WA) women was carried out. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) with a validated QuEChERS was used for the analysis of 88 pesticides in HM. p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE) with a mean concentration of 62.8 ± 54.5 ng/g fat was found, whereas other organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids were not detected in HM. Overall, no association was observed between HM p,p′-DDE concentrations and maternal age, parity, body mass index and percentage fat mass. Furthermore, for the first time no significant association was found between p,p′-DDE concentrations in HM and infant growth outcomes such as weight, length, head circumference and percentage fat mass. The calculated daily intake was significantly different to the estimated daily intake of total DDTs and was well below the guideline proposed by WHO. The DDTs levels in WA have also significantly decreased by 42 - fold since the 1970s and are currently the lowest in Australia.

Environmental organic pollutants in human milk before and after weight loss

Many persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are banned because they accumulate in organisms and are toxic. Lipophilic POPs are stored in maternal adipose tissue and concentrations in human milk (HM) may increase during weight loss. Our aim was to examine associations between weight loss and concentrations of chlorinated POPs in HM in lactating women participating in a weight loss study. We analysed POPs (PCB 28, PCB 153, HCB, DDE) in HM at 12 and 24 weeks postpartum from 32 women who participated in a randomized, 2 × 2 factorial trial of diet and exercise for postpartum weight loss. Participants donated milk before and after the intervention period. We examined associations between weight loss and change in POP concentrations and estimated the intake of POPs by their breastfed infants. Most (n = 27) women lost weight during intervention, 0.45 ± 0.30 kg/week (mean ± SD). Among these women, the concentration of PCB 153 in HM was significantly (p = 0.04) higher at follow-up than at baseline. Weight loss was significantly positively associated with changes in concentrations of all studied POPs (2.0–2.4% increase per percent weight loss). Estimated mean intakes of POPs (ng/day) remained stable because infant milk consumption decreased during the study period. As infants gained weight, estimated mean intakes per kg body weight decreased 17–22%. Changes in concentrations of POPs in HM correlated positively with maternal weight loss, but it is unlikely that the balance between the benefits and risks of breastfeeding will change if the weight loss is restricted to 0.5 kg per week.

Biological monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants in human milk in Israel

BackgroundThe Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of POPs around the globe. The Ministry of Health, collaborating with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, measured the exposure of the population to POPs as part of the WHO-coordinated exposure study. Human milk, with a relatively high fat content is a preferred matrix for the monitoring of exposure. MethodsDonors of breast milk were recruited from three hospitals after signing informed consent forms. Breast milk was collected from 52 primipara women, aged 23-35, living in Israel for the last 10years who gave birth to singleton full term healthy infants. Samples, collected at 3-17weeks postpartum, were stored at -20°C until sent to the WHO Reference Laboratory, State Laboratory for Chemical and Veterinary Analysis of Food (CVUA), in Frieburg, Germany for a single pooled analysis. Mothers were provided with the pooled analysis results. ResultsOut of over 50 Persistent Organic Pollutants listed in the analysis, 16, including aldrin, endrin, parlar and mirex were not found at detectable levels in the Israeli pooled sample. For the indicator compounds found at detectable levels, most were lower than those reported in European countries. DiscussionSince 1982, levels of POPs contamination as measured in breast milk have declined significantly. This is likely due to restrictions on agricultural, industrial, and other uses of many POPs in Israel. Ongoing biomonitoring in Israel and inter-ministerial collaboration supports the elimination of POPs in the environment and human milk.

Multi-residue method for the determination of 57 Persistent Organic Pollutants in human milk and colostrum using a QuEChERS-based extraction procedure

Human breast milk represents the best choice for the nutrition of infants. However, in addition to containing beneficial nutrients and antibodies, it can also be considered the best indicator of infant exposure to contaminants. We developed a multi-residue method using a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) procedure and capillary gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for the determination of 57 persistent organic pollutants, including 23 organochlorine pesticides, 18 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human milk and colostrum samples. We have used primary secondary amine in the clean-up step as it gave a more efficient separation of the analytes from fat and superior removal of the co-extracted substances compared with gel permeation chromatography. No significant matrix effect was observed for the tested pollutants, and therefore matrix-matched calibration was not necessary. The average recoveries from spiked samples were in the range of 74.8-113.0 %. The precision was satisfactory, with relative standard deviations below 16 %, while values of 0.1-0.4 μg L(-1) were established as the limit of quantification for all the target analytes (0.05 and 100 μg L(-1)). The method was successfully applied to the analysis of 18 human colostrum and 23 mature milk samples. All the samples tested were positive for at least nine different residues, with some samples containing up to 24 contaminants. Remarkably, the contaminants hexachlorobenzene, p,p'-DDE, PCB 138, PCB 180, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene were present in 100 % of the colostrum and mature milk samples analyzed.

Persistent organic pollutants in human milk as an indicator of exposure to dioxins

Persistent organic pollutants in human milk as an indicator of exposure to dioxins

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Human Milk from Central Italy: Levels and Time Trends

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as HCB, p,p′-DDE, and PCBs were measured in Italian breast milk. This work is part of a study on human milk, adipose tissues, and food carried out in the same area over the last 20 years. The results showed the prevalence of p,p′-DDE and PCBs over HCB. Comparison of our results with those of previous studies carried out in the same area showed that concentrations are decreasing. No statistically significant differences in organochlorine levels were found when the samples were divided into maternal age classes and into the categories “primiparae” and “multiparae”. In order to quantify the amount of the molecules of interest transmitted by mother to child during breast feeding, we estimated the daily intake of each class of compounds: our results indicated that HCB and p,p′-DDE were several times lower than the safety thresholds.

Survey of persistent organic pollutants in human milk from communities urban and coast from Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Survey of persistent organic pollutants in human milk from communities urban and coast from Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Levels of persistent organic pollutants in human milk in two Chinese coastal cities, Tianjin and Yantai: Influence of fish consumption

In 2006–2007, we collected human milk from 60 and 48 donors in the Chinese coastal cities of Tianjin and Yantai, respectively, in accordance with the WHO/UNEP global milk survey. We determined the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides by GC/MS/MS and dioxins by XDS-CALUX bioassay in the individual milk specimens. The geometric mean concentrations (GMs) of β-HCH (586.7ng g−1 fat), total DDTs (855.9ngg−1 fat), and dl-PCBs (4.4pg CALUX-TEQg−1 fat) in the milk from Yantai were higher than those from Tianjin (254.4ng g-1 fat, 654.7ngg−1 fat, 1.9pg CALUX-TEQ g−1 fat, respectively). However, the GMs of HCB (41.1ngg−1 fat) and PCDD/Fs (13.1pg CALUX-TEQg−1 fat) from Tianjin were higher than those from Yantai (15.7ng g−1 fat, 9.9pg CALUX-TEQ g−1 fat). The low ratios of DDT/(DDE+DDD) in milk from both areas suggested that past exposure contributed to the total DDTs body burden. The dl-PCBs body burden in the high sea fish intake group was higher than that in the low intake group, both with and without adjustments for potential influencing factors. For β-HCH, a marginal P value (P=0.063) was observed between high and low sea fish consumption groups after adjusting for potential influencing factors. Donors in the high freshwater fish group showed higher PCDD/Fs and HCB levels than those in the low intake group, both with and without adjustments. Further monitoring studies of POPs contamination in human milk and foods are needed in China.

Persistent organic pollutants in human milk in women from urban and rural areas in northern China

Human milk specimens from 55 women in Shijiazhuang urban and Tangshan rural areas in Hebei Province in northern China were collected and analyzed for persistent organic pollutants, such as p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene ( p,p′-DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), β-hexachlorocyclohexane ( β-HCH), and dioxins. We administered a questionnaire to milk donors at collection time, asking about lifestyle factors that potentially influence organochlorine pesticide (OCP) levels in human milk. We found that the concentrations of p,p′-DDE and β-HCH in human milk from the primiparous mothers in Shijiazhuang (3330 and 108.8 ng/g fat, respectively) were higher than in samples from mothers from Tangshan (1916 and 21.2 ng/g fat, respectively). In addition, we found the level of p,p′-DDE correlated positively with a dietary history of meat consumption or consumption of internal organs of pigs and sheep ( r = 0.38 and r = 0.52 , respectively), but not with intake frequencies of vegetables and fruits in primiparous mothers. The higher level for p,p′-DDE may be due to a greater intake of contaminated fatty foods in the industrialized areas. We also showed that the body burden of p,p′-DDE was higher in the urban group compared to the values in other regions in China after 1998. However, there was no difference in dioxin levels between the two regions. Comprehensive monitoring of persistent organic pollutants in human milk and food is needed in China.