Dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in human breast milk collected in the area of Taranto (Southern Italy): first case study

• Published in: Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry Vol. 405; no. 7; pp. 2405 - 2410
• Main Authors: Bianco, Giuliana, Zianni, Rosalia, Anzillotta, Giuseppe, Palma, Achille, Vitacco, Vincenzo, Scrano, Laura, Cataldi, Tommaso R. I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.03.2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acetone; Adolescent; Adult; Analytical Chemistry; Benzofurans - analysis; Biochemistry; Breast; Breast milk; Breastfeeding & lactation; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical properties; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chromatography; Composition; Congeners; Diet; Dioxin; Dioxins; Dioxins - analysis; Environmental Exposure; Equivalence; Female; Food; Food Science; Furans; Gas chromatography; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - methods; Human; Humans; Identification and classification; Intakes; Internet resources; Italy; Laboratory animals; Laboratory Medicine; Mass spectrometry; Mathematical analysis; Methods; Milk; Milk, Human - chemistry; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins; Polychlorinated dibenzofurans; Scientific imaging; Solvent extraction; Solvent extraction processes; Technical Note; Testing; Young Adult; Italy; MED, Italy; Italy, Puglia, Taranto; dioxins; Gas chromatography; High-resolution mass spectrometry; Polychlorinated dibenzo; Polychlorinated dibenzofurans; Breast milk
• ISSN: 1618-2642; 1618-2650
• DOI: 10.1007/s00216-013-6706-7

We report on the content of polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in 15 breast milk samples of nursing women living in the city of Taranto (Southern, Italy) or nearby. Breast milk samples were collected over the 2008–2009 period and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) upon accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) using acetone/ n -hexane mixture 1:1 ( v / v ). The method was validated demonstrating good performing features. Profiles of PCDD/PCDF congeners in breast milk samples exhibited a prevalence of PCDFs compared to PCDDs. Toxic equivalents (TEQs in picogram per gram fat) of four breast milk were far above the legal limit for human consumption of 3.0 pg/g; their estimated daily and weekly dietary intake were almost 5–20 and 10–40 times higher, respectively, than the tolerable intake values established by the World Health Organization. Figure Occurrence of the toxic micropollutants in breast milk samples of mothers living in or nearby Taranto