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Svati Patandin,¹ Pieter C. Dagnelie,² Paul G.H. Mulder,³ Eline Op de Coul,⁴ Juul E. van der Veen,⁴ Nynke Weisglas-Kuperus,¹ and Pieter J.J. Sauer¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Erasmus University and University Hospital/Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
²Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
³Institute of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
⁴Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Abstract

Food is the major source for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and dioxin accumulation in the human body. Therefore, investigating food habits from early ages until reproductive age (25 years) is important in order to assess exposure risk for the next generation. The objective of this study was to assess the PCB/dioxin exposure and the relative contribution of different foods to total exposure during preschool age. Particularly, the importance of lactational PCB/dioxin exposure vs. dietary exposure until adulthood was investigated. A cohort of 207 children was studied from birth until preschool age. Based on 3 planar PCBs and 17 2,3,7,8-substituted dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) measured in breast milk, a model was developed to calculate the cumulative toxic equivalent (TEQ) intake during breast-feeding (0-1 year) . In 3.5-year-old children, daily dietary intake of planar PCB-TEQ and dioxin-TEQ was measured with a validated food questionnaire. Cumulative TEQ intake from 1 to 5 years was estimated using the PCB- and dioxin-TEQ intake measured with the food questionnaire. Cumulative TEQ intake from 6 to 25 years was estimated using national food consumption and contamination data of PCB- and dioxin-TEQ intake. In toddlers, dairy products contributed 43% to PCB-TEQ and 50% to dioxin-TEQ intake. Meat and meat products contributed 14% and 19%, respectively, and processed foods 23% and 15%, respectively. Breast-feeding for 6 months contributed to the cumulative PCB/dioxin TEQ intake until 25 years of age, 12% in boys and 14% in girls. The daily TEQ intake per kilogram body weight is 50 times higher in breast-fed infants and three times higher in toddlers than in adults. Long-term dietary exposure to PCBs and dioxins in men and women is partly due to breast-feeding (12 and 14%, respectively) . After weaning, dairy products, processed foods, and meat are major contributors of PCB and dioxin accumulation until reproductive age. Instead of discouraging breast-feeding, maternal transfer of PCBs and dioxins to the next generation must be avoided by enforcement of strict regulations for PCB and dioxin discharge and by reducing consumption of animal products and processed foods in all ages. Key words: breast-feeding, cumulative intake, dietary exposure, dioxins, PCBs, preschool children, toxic equivalents. Environ Health Perspect 107:45-51 (1999) . [Online 8 December 1998]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/107p45-51patandin/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to S. Patandin, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Sophia Children's Hospital, PO Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

We thank all families participating in this study. We are grateful to Esha Patandin-Marhe and Sarita Sadhoeram for their assistance in processing the food questionnaires. We thank Lidwien van der Heijden and W.A. van Staveren from the division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Agricultural University, Wageningen, for developing the food questionnaire. This study was funded by the European Commission within the Environmental and Health Programmes, contract EV5V-CT92-0207.

Received 22 April 1998 ; accepted 3 August 1998.