You are here:
Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals in the Serum and Milk of Breastfeeding Women.
Citation:
von Ehrenstein, O. S., S. E. FENTON, K. Kato, Z. Kuklenyik, A. M. Calafat, AND E. P. HINES. Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals in the Serum and Milk of Breastfeeding Women. REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 27(3-4):239-245, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
These data demonstrate very low transfer of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) to breast milk, even though PFCs are readily detected in the sera of lactating NC women. Our data correlation statistics suggest that there is an elevation of average serum PFCs in women residing in areas of the US known to have or have had industrial pollution of these compounds, such as NC. Another important finding is that the average level of 3 prevalent PFCs was decreased over time of lactation, suggesting that depuration of these compounds takes place. These data, in addition to our data on lactational transfer of PFOA in mice, will decrease uncertainty in risk evaluation of the PFCs, especially as they pertain to children's health.
Description:
Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) comprise a group of man-made organic compounds, some of which are persistent contaminants with developmental toxicity shown in laboratory animals. There is a paucity of human perinatal exposure data. The US EPA conducted a pilot study (Methods Advancement in Milk Analysis) including 34 breastfeeding women in North Carolina. Milk and serum samples were collected at 2-7 weeks and 3-4 months postpartum; 9 PFCs were assessed in milk and 7 in serum. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) were found in nearly 100% of the serum samples. PFOS and PFOA were found at the highest concentrations. PFCs were below the limit of detection in most milk samples. Serum concentrations of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS were lower (p<0.01) at the second visit compared to the first visit, and living in North Carolina 10 years or longer was related to elevated PFOS, PFOA and PFNA (p<0.03). These pilot data support the need to further explore perinatal PFC exposures and potentially related health effects, as planned in the upcoming National Children’s Study which provided the framework for this investigation.
