Concentrations of dioxins and furans in breast milk of women living near a hazardous waste incinerator in Catalonia, Spain. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schuhmacher, Marta; Mari, Montse; Nadal, Martí; Domingo, José L.
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 125(2019)
• Page Start: 334
• Page End: 341
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: PCDD/Fs -- Profiles -- Breast milk -- Biomonitoring -- Hazardous waste incinerator; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Since 1999, a hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) is operating in Constantí (Tarragona County, Catalonia, Spain). In 1996–1998, when the facility was being built, we started a monitoring program aimed at evaluating the impact of the emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) by the HWI on the environment and the human health. This study aimed at determining the current concentrations of PCDD/Fs in breast milk samples of women living nearby the HWI and at comparing these levels and profiles with those obtained in the baseline (1996–1998) and previous surveys (2002, 2007 and 2012). Furthermore, the association between the dietary intake of PCDD/Fs and the congener profiles in breast milk was also explored. Twenty milk samples were collected from women living in Tarragona downtown and near the industrial area where the HWI is placed. The content of PCDD/Fs was analyzed by following a procedure derived from the US EPA methods 1613 and 8290A. The mean concentration of PCDD/Fs was 2.26 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat. No significant differences were found between women living in industrial and urban areas (1.67 pg vs. 2.48 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat). Interestingly, a notable significant reduction (81%) was observed with respect to the concentrations found in the baseline study. The profiles of PCDD/Fs in breast milk were similar independently on the area and period of collection, being mainly influenced by the intake of fish, meat, oils and fats. The decreasing trend of PCDD/Fs in human milk agrees with the reduction observed in the dietary intake of these pollutants. It was also concluded that the current levels of PCDD/Fs in human milk levels are not influenced by the HWI stack emissions. Highlights: Results of a long-term exposure study of a HWI impact on the population are shown. Breast milk is one of the most suitable biomonitors of PCDD/Fs for women. A significant reduction of PCDD/Fs was noted after 19 years of regular operations. The decreasing trend of PCDD/Fs agrees with the reduction of their dietary intake.