OBJECTIVES: This study examined the influence of lactational and in utero exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on plasma PCB levels in children. METHODS: Plasma PCB levels were measured in 173 children at 3.5 years, of whom 91 were breast-fed and 82 were formula-fed in infancy. RESULTS: Median plasma PCB levels were 3.6 times higher in breast-fed children (0.75 microgram/L) than in their formula-fed peers (0.21 microgram/L). Breast-feeding period and breast-milk PCB levels were important predictors for PCB levels in the breast-fed group. For children in the formula-fed group, PCB levels were significantly related to their material plasma PCB levels. CONCLUSIONS: PCB levels in Dutch preschool children are related to transfer of maternal PCBs; therefore, strategies should be aimed at reducing maternal PCB body burden.

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hdl.handle.net/1765/8728
American Journal of Public Health
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Patandin, S., Weisglas-Kuperus, N., de Ridder, M., Koopman-Esseboom, C., van Staveren, W., van der Paauw, C., & Sauer, P. (1997). Plasma polychlorinated biphenyl levels in Dutch preschool children either breast-fed or formula-fed during infancy. American Journal of Public Health. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/8728